Arterial line for monitoring SpO₂ in patients with ischemic peripheries

Monitoring the oxygenation status of patients with poor peripheral perfusion or ischemic peripheries is challenging in view of unreliable or unrecordable pulse oximeter data. In this article we describe a very simple and innovative technique of using the arterial line for reliable recording of arterial oxygen saturation (SpO₂) in such patients. We conclude that the arterial line can be used as an extension of the artery and SpO₂ may be reliably measured using the arterial line in such patients as long as the blood in the arterial tubing is pulsatile and a good contact is ensured between the arterial tubing and the sensor of the pulse oximeter.