Computer pulse oximetry is a method of long-term non-invasive monitoring of saturation, that is, a saturation of hemoglobin of arterial blood with oxygen.

The essence of the method is that for a long time (at night) this device registers the patient’s oxygen saturation and pulse every 1-10 seconds. Further, the analysis of the obtained data is carried out.

This method is not a complete diagnostic method, that is, it does not allow a diagnosis of sleep apnea. Computer pulse oximetry is a screening diagnostic method that allows suspecting sleep apnea in patients at risk for sleep apnea, and also helps to track the effectiveness of therapy (in particular CPAP therapy).

For clarity, we present the data of computerized pulse oximetry of a patient with several risk factors for sleep apnea (obesity, hypertension, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease).

In this fragment of the night study (about one hour from the entire night examination), two curves are presented: blue – the curve for measuring arterial blood oxygen saturation, and the lower one – green – the curve for measuring the pulse. It can be seen here that there was a prolonged fall in saturation below the norm (less than 97%).

This diagnostic method with risk factors for sleep apnea is included in the diagnostic standard for all patients of the hospital of the Clinic of Doctor Maksudova.