Tissue oxygen saturation measurement in prehospital trauma patients: a pilot, feasibility study.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: This study evaluated the feasibility of prehospital tissue oxygen saturation (StO2) in major trauma patients. METHODS: A prospective, pilot feasibility study carried out in a physician based prehospital trauma service. RESULTS: Prehospital StO2 was recorded on 13 patients. Continuous StO2 monitoring was achieved on all patients, despite intermittent failure of pulse oximetry and non-invasive blood pressure monitoring in six patients. No adverse outcomes of StO2 monitoring were reported. The specific equipment used was reported to be inconveniently bulky and heavy for use in the prehospital setting. CONCLUSIONS: Prehospital measurement and monitoring of StO2 is feasible in trauma patients undergoing prehospital anaesthesia and may be useful in the early identification of shock, triggering of transfusion protocols and guiding fluid resuscitation.