BMJ 1995;311:453 (12 August)

Letters

Hypoxia during endoscopy also occurs in unsedated patients

EDITOR,--J E Charlton emphasises the risks of upper alimentary endoscopy, particularly in high risk patients undergoing the procedure with sedation,1 but fails to emphasise that the risk can also occur in unsedated patients. We have previously reported an oxygen saturation of </= 92% in 41% (24/59) of unsedated patients breathing room air.2 The proportion of unsedated patients with an oxygen saturation of </= 92% fell significantly to 11% (6/56) when supplemental oxygen was given. Similar findings were found in a group of patients undergoing endoscopy with sedation. In line with Charlton's comments, however, there were no significant differences in maximum pulse rate in any of these groups, indicating that alleviating the hypoxia may not reduce the cardiac risk. Despite this we agree that it would not be safe to dismiss the benefits of supplemental oxygen during endoscopy and believe that it should be part of routine practice.

Senior lecturer in . . . [Full text of this article]


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Relevant Article

Monitoring and supplemental oxygen during endoscopy
J E Charlton
BMJ 1995 310: 886-887. [Extract] [Full Text]

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