Spurious Low Oxygen Saturation on Pulse Oximetry in an Adult patient with Haemoglobinopathy

Dr. Abraham Koshy; Dr. R. N. Solanki; Dr. Pyarpinkesh N. Rathva

Volume : VIII, Issue : IV, April - 2018

Spurious Low Oxygen Saturation on Pulse Oximetry in an Adult patient with Haemoglobinopathy

Dr. Abraham Koshy, Dr. R. N. Solanki, Dr. Pyarpinkesh N. Rathva

Abstract :

The use ofpulse oximetrytoestimateoxygen saturation in a continuous, accurate and non–invasive fashion has transformed vital monitoring inmedical field . However, there are situations where there could besignificantvariance between oxygen saturation measurements with pulse oximeter (SpO2) and actual arterial oxygen levels (PaO2). In such scenarios, the possibility of a variant haemoglobin as the etiologyexists. Thefinding is usually incidental, and patients themselvesare often asymptomatic. There exists inadequate knowledge of principles and implications of pulse oximetry among health care providers. Awarenessof these variants can help spare physicians and patients stress and unnecessary medical investigations. Further research into magnitude and types of variant haemoglobins in Indian population can help in proper diagnosis and management of such patients.Here, we present a case reportofa patient presenting with low oxygen saturation who underwent extensive workup and wasfound to have a type of variant haemoglobin.