La saturación de oxígeno de miembros inferiores en sujetos con y sin riesgos de enfermedad arterial periférica

Abstract

Introduction: Occlusion of lower extremity arteries causes hemodynamic changes with decreased perfusion pressure and tissue ischemia. The ankle-brachial index and pulse oximetry can detect early, asymptomatic stages of peripheral arterial disease in the population.

Objective: To evaluate lower extremity oxygen saturation in patients with and without risk of peripheral arterial disease.

Methods: An observational, descriptive, and cross-sectional study was conducted at the "Victoria de Girón" Institute of Basic and Preclinical Sciences during the second half of 2023 and the first quarter of 2024. Subjects were assigned to two groups with and without risk factors; they underwent oximetry of all four extremities and an ankle-brachial index. The relationship between oxygen saturation levels and the ankle-brachial index was determined using the Chi-square statistic. Results: Oxygen saturation in the lower extremities decreased in patients with risk factors, but the decrease was not significant. The optimal position for assessing oxygen saturation in the lower extremities was the supine position with the lower extremities elevated at 60°. There was no relationship between oxygen saturation levels and the ankle-brachial index test.

Conclusions: In the study subjects, it was not possible to demonstrate that reduced oxygen saturation levels in the peripheral arterial region were predictors of lower extremity hypoperfusion; however, it is not ruled out as a complementary tool to the physical examination.