Abstract
Background This study evaluated the feasibility of prehospital tissue oxygen saturation (StO(2)) in major trauma patients.
Methods A prospective, pilot feasibility study carried out in a physician based prehospital trauma service.
Results Prehospital StO(2) was recorded on 13 patients. Continuous StO(2) monitoring was achieved on all patients, despite intermittent failure of pulse oximetry and non-invasive blood pressure monitoring in six patients. No adverse outcomes of StO(2) monitoring were reported. The specific equipment used was reported to be inconveniently bulky and heavy for use in the prehospital setting.
Conclusions Prehospital measurement and monitoring of StO(2) is feasible in trauma patients undergoing prehospital anaesthesia and may be useful in the early identification of shock, triggering of transfusion protocols and guiding fluid resuscitation.