Forehead Sensor Detects Hypoxemia Before Ear and Finger Sensors

A study has demonstrated that a forehead sensor detects hypoxemia significantly sooner than ear and finger sensors during conditions of low perfusion. The study was presented at the annual meeting of the Society of Critical Care Medicine in San Antonio (TX, USA).

Researchers investigated the detection of hypoxemia in nine subjects during peripheral vasoconstriction at the radial artery and various pulse oximeter sites (forehead, ear, finger), using a variety of oximeter sensors. Radial arterial samples with simultaneous readings from two forehead sensors, two ear sensors, and eight finger sensors were obtained at saturation levels between 70-100%. The researchers found no significant difference between the mean lag time of the radial artery and the forehead sensor, while the mean lag times were significantly greater for sensors placed on the ears and fingers.

"We conclude that radial arterial blood and forehead sensors are rapid indicators of central hypoxemia during peripheral vasoconstriction,” said Donald E. Bebout, Ph.D. of Nellcor (Pleasanton, CA, USA), who supplied the two forehead sensors used in the study.




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