Oxygen Monitoring

Abstract

This article reviews recent advances in the monitoring of patient oxygenation. We summarize the transport of oxygen from the atmosphere to the cell, and describe monitors that function at four stages of the O2 transport process. These four stages include respired gas, arterial blood, tissue, and venous blood. History and recent developments in pulse oximetry will be discussed. Continuous intraarterial blood‐gas sensors will be described and contrasted with other oxygen monitors. Finally, tissue oxygen monitoring and mixed‐venous oximetry are discussed.