Evaluation of a New Pulse Oximeter Sensor

Abstract

• Background A new forehead noninvasive oxygen saturation sensor may improve signal quality in patients with low cardiac index. • Objectives To examine agreement between oxygen saturation values obtained by using digit-based and forehead pulse oximeters with arterial oxygen saturation in patients with low cardiac index. • MethodsA method-comparison study was used to examine the agreement between 2 different pulse oximeters and arterial oxygen saturation in patients with low cardiac index. Readings were obtained from a finger and a forehead sensor and by analysis of a blood sample. Bias, precision, and root mean square differences were calculated for the digit and forehead sensors. Differences in bias and precision between the 2 noninvasive devices were evaluated with a t test (level of significance P<.05). • Results Nineteen patients with low cardiac index (calculated as cardiac output in liters per minute divided by body surface area in square meters; mean 1.98, SD 0.34) were studied for a total of 54 sampling periods. Mean (SD) oxygen saturations were 97% (2.4) for blood samples, 96% (3.2) for the finger sensor, and 97% (2.8) for the forehead sensor. By Bland Altman analysis, bias ± precision was −1.16 ± 1.62% for the digit sensor and −0.36 ± 1.74% for the forehead sensor; root mean square differences were 1.93% and 1.70%, respectively. Bias and precision differed significantly between the 2 devices; the forehead sensor differed less from the blood sample. • Conclusions In patients with low cardiac index, the forehead sensor was better than the digit sensor for pulse oximetry.