“Computational” blood oxygen status: Requirements and limitations

Abstract

The influences of analytical variation of sO₂ and pO₂ measurements on the oxygen parameters p50, pO₂uv, DavO₂c, CQ are examined by simulation. The greatest deviations occur when pO₂ and sO₂ are changing in opposite directions.

p50 and pO₂uv are least sensitive against analytical variations. Differences between p50 results from arterial and mixed venous blood are discussed.

The calculation of the new oxygen parameters should be restricted to blood samples with sO₂ not higher than 0.96.

The need for an oxygen parameter expressing the combined effects of oxygenation, Hb concentration and oxygen affinity is emphasized.

Key Words:

• Oxygen affinity of hemoglobin
• oxygen supply.