Research Output
Changes in arterial oxygen saturation before and after enteral feeding tube insertion in dysphagic stroke patients.
  Objective: to determine whether insertion of nasogastric or percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy feeding tubes is associated
with hypoxaemia.
Methods: dysphagic stroke patients had their arterial oxygen saturation measured by pulse oximetry continuously for 10
minutes before, during and after tube insertion.
Results: in 14 patients nasogastric tube insertion had little effect on oxygen saturation. Six patients maintained oxygen saturation
during percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy insertion (whilst on 2 litres oxygen/min) but had a signiWcantly lower
median oxygen saturation (P = 0.03) after the procedure (when oxygen was discontinued) and four of these had oxygen saturation
of ≤90%.
Conclusions: in this small group of stroke patients, difWcult insertions of nasogastric and percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy
tubes were associated with moderate hypoxaemia. Clinicians should be aware of the potential impact of tube insertion and
ensure patients are appropriately monitored and if necessary receive supplemental oxygen, after as well as during the procedure.

  • Type:

    Article

  • Date:

    30 November 2003

  • Publication Status:

    Published

  • Publisher

    Oxford University Press

  • DOI:

    10.1093/ageing/afg116

  • ISSN:

    0002-0729

  • Library of Congress:

    RT Nursing

  • Dewey Decimal Classification:

    616.81 Stroke

Citation

Rowat, A. M., Wardlaw, J. M. & Dennis, M. S. (2003). Changes in arterial oxygen saturation before and after enteral feeding tube insertion in dysphagic stroke patients. Age and ageing. 33, 42-45. doi:10.1093/ageing/afg116. ISSN 0002-0729

Authors

Keywords

dysphasia; oximetry; hypoxaemia; PEG; NG;

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