Continuous measurement of arterial PO2. Significance and indications in intensive care.

The use of continuous arterial PO2 monitoring with the aid of intra-arterial electrodes is discussed with reference to 50 patients in an intensive care unit specializing in internal medicine. Monitoring time ranged from 2 h to 15 days. There were no serious complications which could, with certainty, be attributed to the intravascular measurement of PO2. The advantages of this method lie particularly in the early detection of hypoxemias, in the uninterrupted monitoring of artificial respiration and in the immediate indication of favorable and unfavorable response to therapy. Finally, a list is given of possible indications in which this method can be used in intensive medicine.