A Less-Invasive Way to Gauge ARDS Severity — And Perhaps to Titrate PEEP

The SpO₂:FiO₂ ratio tracks closely with the PaO₂:FiO₂ ratio in intubated patients with acute respiratory distress syndrome.

Classifying acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) and patient responses to increases in positive end-expiratory pressure (PEEP) require sampling of arterial blood gases to normalize partial pressure of arterial oxygen (PaO₂) with fraction of inspired oxygen (FiO₂). In recent years, clinicians have been using less-invasive pulse oximetry (SpO₂) to determine the SpO₂:FiO₂ ratio for classifying ARDS. Can it also guide treatment decisions, such as PEEP titration? In this retrospective observational study, researchers in Italy reviewed data from 258 patients with ARDS to discern if the SpO₂:FiO₂ ratio could serve as a surrogate for the PaO₂:FiO₂ ratio.

Findings were as follows:

SpO₂:FiO₂ ratios of <148, 148–235, and 235–315 correlated well wi…

Reviewing Author

Michael E. Billington, MD

Disclosures

Nothing to disclose

Michael E. Billington, MD

Disclosures

Nothing to disclose

A Less-Invasive Way to Gauge ARDS Severity — And Perhaps to Titrate PEEP

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Reviewing Author