Titration of Inspired Oxygen in Preterm Infants with Hypoxemic
Respiratory Failure Using Near Infrared Spectroscopy and Pulse Oximetry:
A New Approach
Abstract
Background: Titration of inspired oxygen is a challenge in preterm
infants with hypoxemic respiratory failure (HRF). Monitoring of brain
oxygen by near infrared spectroscopy (NIRS) has been proven to minimize
the burden of hyperoxia and hypoxemia, with better understanding of
cerebral autoregulation (CAR). integrating NIRS and pulse oximetry
(SpO2) for titrating inspired oxygen is a novel approach. Methods: We
aimed to study the impact of integrated monitoring of oxygen saturation
by SpO2 and cerebral regional tissue oxygen (crRTO) by NIRS during
oxygen reduction test (ORT) on reducing oxygen requirement in preterm
infants with HRF. The correlation between SpO2 with crRTO, and
fractional oxygen extraction (FOE) was assessed, concordance levels
(r>0.5) were determined during the assessment period, and
was considered as a sign of impaired autoregulation. The primary outcome
was the achievement of significantly lower FiO2 at 72 hours after start
of the integrated monitoring. Results: Total of 38 preterm infants were
included, 27 had normal cerebral autoregulation (CAR), (group 1) in whom
SpO2 was poorly correlating with cerebral regional tissue oxygen (crRTO)
with (r<0.5) and had significantly greater percentage of
reduction below baseline in FiO2 (Mean:34%). Eleven infants had
impaired CAR (group 2) with SpO2 significantly correlating with crRTO
(r>0.5) and had a linear trend of FOE inverse to SpO2 and
crRTO; this was considered as an arterial saturation dependent oxygen
delivery (SadDO2). Conclusion: Integrated monitoring of preterm infants
by SpO2 and crRTO was associated with easier weaning of oxygen with less
burden of both hyperoxia and hypoxemia.