Sudhansu Sekhar Mohanty, Subhabrata Das, Panchanana Panigrahy, Ram Narayan Sahu, Bismaya Rout
BACKGROUND This study was undertaken to determine the changes in oxygen saturation, blood pressure and heart rate during various endoscopic procedures and to find out the risk factors for these changes. MATERIALS AND METHODS 560 patients without cardiorespiratory disorders were recruited. Oxygen saturation, blood pressure, pulse rate, ECG were monitored during endoscopy using pulse oximeter, automated blood pressure monitor, and portable RMS ECG machine. These were recorded from baseline until 5 minutes after the procedure. The important variables, which were evaluated in relation to these changes, included age, gender, duration of the procedure and drug/dosages. RESULTS Mild to moderate hypoxia was found in 158 (28.2%) patients. Severe hypoxia was found in 32 (5.8%) patients. Changes in pulse rate were significant post-sedation, during probe insertion, during scoping, at removal of probe and immediately postprocedure (p<0.02). The mean change in systolic blood pressure was not significant throughout the procedure when compared to baseline, however 68 (12.14%) patients developed transient hypertension. CONCLUSION Mild to moderate hypoxia is common during endoscopic procedures and are of no serious consequence. However severe hypoxia is less common. We recommend a non-invasive monitoring in patients with age greater than 50 years.
