Imputation of Arterial Oxygen Partial Pressures Using Pulse Oximetry

The partial pressure of oxygen in the arterial blood (PaO2) / the fraction of inspired oxygen (FiO2) ratio has been commonly used as an indicator of adequate oxygenation and in the diagnosis and severity of acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) which requires arterial blood gas (ABGs) analysis. Another way to measure oxygenation is by using the noninvasive pulse oximetry to measure the oxygen saturation (SpO2). Three formulas have been derived and validated in the intensive care unit (ICU) setting to estimate the PaO2 from the SpO2. However, the relationship of PaO2 and SpO2 and these derivation equations are not validated in the setting of general anesthesia in the operating theatre (OT) in which patients are prone to multiple intraoperative and postoperative pulmonary complications.

The aim is to validate existing PaO₂ prediction equations (Rice, Pandharipande, Gadrey, Hill, Severinghaus-Ellis) by comparing predicted PaO₂ values with measured values. If these equations are found to be invalid, new PaO₂ prediction formulas will be derived and validated for accuracy and performance.

This is a prospective cohort study that will be conducted at the American University of Beirut Medical Center (AUBMC) in the OT under the Department of Anesthesiology and Pain Medicine. The data will be collected by the investigators of the study. These include the PaO2 (in mmHg), FiO2, SpO2 (in %), and Mean airway pressure (in cmH2O) at the time of sample collection, in addition to patient characteristics as age, gender, weight, height, BMI, smoking status, surgery type, surgery acuity, and present comorbidities specifically cardiac and respiratory comorbidities.

Validating the use of one of the formulas to derive PaO2 from SpO2 in the OT would help anesthesiologists detect derangements in patients' oxygenation earlier and decrease the need for ABGs analysis and its possible complications.

Inclusion criteria

• Age >18 years
• Undergoing general anesthesia

Exclusion criteria

• Patients undergoing cardiac or thoracic surgeries will be excluded.