When is ABG useful to investigate oxygenation?

pulse-ox

Almost never. For patients with an adequate oximetry waveform, pulse oximetry is usually superior to ABG for measuring oxygenation. ABG is only useful to investigate oxygenation when:

  • Pulse oximetry waveform is unreliable.
  • Diagnosis of methemoglobinemia.
  • Calculation of the PaO2/FiO2 ratio to guide a specific therapeutic decision.

 

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EMKF

Emergency Medicine Kenya Foundation (EMKF) is a not-for-profit (NGO) public benefit organisation registered in Kenya