Pulse oximetry

Pulse oximetry is a non-invasive medical technique that allows immediate measurement of oxygen saturation in the blood. Normal values ​​for oxygen saturation (measured in%) range from 96% -100%. The oxygen saturation is the amount that is transported in arterial blood, that is, the oxygen available in the body. The lower the saturation, the lower the amount of oxygen, this translates into hypoxemia and is a potentially serious medical finding as it indicates a lack of oxygen.

Some types of patients (for example, those with chronic respiratory or heart disease) may typically have a lower-than-normal baseline oxygen saturation, as their body, due to their illness, has "adjusted" to these values. Thus, in these patients pulse oximetry it would serve to assess the worsening of his illness since it would descend from its usual low values. The appearance of an acute low oxygen saturation (<96%) (patients without a justifying chronic disease) requires urgent medical attention.