[Pulse-oximetry monitoring during endoscopy of the upper digestive tract and chronic obstructive lung disease].

BACKGROUND

During upper digestive endoscopy arterial desaturations occur which may favour cardiopulmonary complications; therefore, monitoring and oxygen administration to risk patients is recommended. The aim of this study was to evaluate desaturations occurring during endoscopy and whether there are differences between patients with or without prior obstructive respiratory pathology.

METHODS

A total of 119 consecutive patients undergoing upper digestive endoscopy were studied. The clinical history and simple spirometry were obtained before endoscopy; during endoscopy, a continuous monitoring of oxygen saturation and heart rate with pulse oximetry.

RESULTS

Forty-six patients (38.7%) had oxygen saturations lower than 90% (Group I). Patients were significantly older and FEV-1, FVC, FEF 25-75, and FEV-1/FVC significantly lower among patients in Group I than among the 73 patients (61.3%) with no oxygen desaturation (Group II). A Tiffenau index lower than 70% was not a good predictor for oxygen desaturation during endoscopy.

CONCLUSIONS

Pulse-oximetry monitoring during upper digestive endoscopy is recommended and particularly in patients with obstructive respiratory conditions and/or advanced age.