Inflight arterial saturation: continuous monitoring by pulse oximetry.
Publication/Presentation Date
2-1-1995
Abstract
The ability of newer airliners to fly at higher altitudes has resulted in an increased altitude exposure to both airline crews and passengers. This increase in altitude exposure has the potential to place some individuals at risk for desaturation. Using pulse oximetry, the arterial oxygen saturation of 42 airline crew members was continuously monitored on 22 regularly scheduled commercial flights. Mean nadir arterial oxygen saturations fell from 97.0% preflight to 88.6% at cruising altitudes. Pulse oximetry results revealed large variations between individuals. Individual nadir saturations ranged from 93% to 80%. Modern aircraft flight may result in desaturations even among healthy aircrew. The effects on human performance remain unknown.
Volume
66
Issue
2
First Page
126
Last Page
130
ISSN
0095-6562
Published In/Presented At
Cottrell, J. J., Lebovitz, B. L., Fennell, R. G., & Kohn, G. M. (1995). Inflight arterial saturation: continuous monitoring by pulse oximetry. Aviation, space, and environmental medicine, 66(2), 126–130.
Disciplines
Anesthesiology | Medicine and Health Sciences
PubMedID
7726775
Department(s)
Department of Anesthesiology
Document Type
Article