04.02.14
OSA is prevalent among surgical patients. A retrospective 2011 study reviewed orthopedic surgery patient records (n=527) to determine incidence and risk factors for post-op hypoxemia and complications in OSA patients.4 In this study, 33 percent of the patients developed hypoxemia and 11 percent developed hypercarbia, an abnormally high level of carbon dioxide in the bloodstream.
Risk factors for hypoxemia were hypercarbia, use of bronchodilators, a body mass index greater than 35, and estimated blood loss of more than 250 millileters. Patients with hypoxemia had significantly more respiratory interventions, longer hospitalizations and a higher risk of wound infections. Severe hypoxemia was associated with significantly more interventions than mild hypoxemia.
Risk factors for hypoxemia were hypercarbia, use of bronchodilators, a body mass index greater than 35, and estimated blood loss of more than 250 millileters. Patients with hypoxemia had significantly more respiratory interventions, longer hospitalizations and a higher risk of wound infections. Severe hypoxemia was associated with significantly more interventions than mild hypoxemia.