Tissue oxygen saturation measurement in prehospital trauma patients: a pilot, feasibility study.
Emergency Medicine Journal · 2012-07-25 · Observational study
Abstract
BACKGROUND: This study evaluated the feasibility of prehospital tissue oxygen saturation (StO₂) in major trauma patients. METHODS: A prospective, pilot feasibility study carried out in a physician based prehospital trauma service. RESULTS: Prehospital StO₂ was recorded on 13 patients. Continuous StO₂ monitoring was achieved on all patients, despite intermittent failure of pulse oximetry and non-invasive blood pressure monitoring in six patients. No adverse outcomes of StO₂ monitoring were reported. The specific equipment used was reported to be inconveniently bulky and heavy for use in the prehospital setting. CONCLUSIONS: Prehospital measurement and monitoring of StO₂ is feasible in trauma patients undergoing prehospital anaesthesia and may be useful in the early identification of shock, triggering of transfusion protocols and guiding fluid resuscitation.