Arterial oxygen desaturation during non-sedated diagnostic upper gastrointestinal endoscopy in patients with cirrhosis

Abstract Oxygen saturation was studied with a pulse oximeter in 80 patients with cirrhosis (44 Pugh-Child's class A, 25 class B, and 11 class C) and 80 controls undergoing diagnostic esophagogastroduodenoscopy (EGD). No narcotic agent was used during the procedure. Baseline SaO 2 was significantly lower in cirrhotics than in controls (97.7 ± 1.0% versus 98.4 ± 0.9%, p 2 during EGD was similar for controls and cirrhotics (94.7 ± 3.0% versus 94.9 ± 3.3%, NS). Significant hypoxia was found in 29 (36%) control patients: mild hypoxia (95% > nadir SaO 2 ≥ 90%) in 22 patients and severe hypoxia (nadir SaO 2 2 or duration of significant hypoxia during total EGD time. These results suggest that oxygen desaturation during EGD occurs both in cirrhotic patients and in controls. We therefore conclude that a population of patients with cirrhosis does not have an increased risk of oxygen desaturation during non-sedated EGD. (Gastrointest Endosc 1994;40:281-4.)