Polarographic Study of Arterial Oxygenation during Apnea in Man

Abstract

ARTERIAL oxygenation during apnea may now be studied with greater accuracy. The recent development of the polarograph^{1 2 3} has made it possible to obtain direct arterial-oxygen-tension determinations with ease and simplicity at all concentrations of inspired oxygen.Utilizing the oxygen electrode, this study was undertaken to investigate the effects of arterial oxygen tension of ventilation with various concentrations of oxygen in the inspired mixture of gases and varying periods of apnea.These data are of value in many clinical situations. The anesthesiologist frequently encounters apnea during endotracheal intubation, during breath holding with or without laryngospasm or bronchospasm, and during bronchoscopy, especially . . .