ORi™: a new indicator of oxygenation

Effect of remimazolam on oxygen reserve compared with propofol during upper gastrointestinal endoscopy: Randomized controlled study

OBJECTIVES

Propofol is commonly used for endoscopic sedation. However, it can induce adverse hemodynamic effects. Remimazolam is known to have a fast onset and short duration comparable to that of propofol, but with fewer effects on hemodynamics. We assessed the Oxygen Reserve Index to verify whether a sedative dose of remimazolam would better preserve oxygenation in the mild hyperoxic range than propofol in sedated patients undergoing diagnostic upper gastrointestinal endoscopy.

METHODS

Patients scheduled for diagnostic upper gastrointestinal endoscopy were enrolled. Patients were randomly assigned to either the remimazolam or propofol groups and received 0.1 mg/kg remimazolam or 0.5 mg/kg propofol, respectively. Bolus injections of either 0.05 mg/kg remimazolam or 0.25 mg/kg propofol were added if required. The primary outcome was the prevalence of oxygen reserve depletion, defined as the Oxygen Reserve Index decreasing to 0.00, and hypoxia defined as peripheral oxygen saturation falling to <94%.

RESULTS

Among 69 patients, the incidence of oxygen reserve depletion was significantly higher in the propofol group (65.7% vs. 38.2%, P = 0.022). Hypoxia was frequently observed in the propofol group, whereas none was observed in the remimazolam group (11.4% vs. 0%, P = 0.042). Additional sedative injections were frequently required to complete endoscopy in the propofol group. None of the patients in the remimazolam group required airway interventions. Nausea was frequent in the propofol group in the recovery room.

CONCLUSION

Our results indicate that remimazolam is a safe and useful sedative for upper gastrointestinal endoscopy.

Clinical application and progress in preoxygenation techniques

INTRODUCTION

Airway management is often a life-saving procedure for patients. However, during airway management, difficult ventilation and difficult intubation are not always predictable. Preoxygenation, a crucial technique to improve oxygen reserves, plays a vital role in preventing hypoxemia during anesthesia induction. Preoxygenation technology and equipment are not monolithic. With the development of preoxygenation equipment and technology, the effect of preoxygenation has been improved, and it can be applied to different clinical settings.

EVIDENCE ACQUISITION

We conducted a literature search (PubMed and Scopus) in October 2023 with a starting date of January 1985, repeated in August 2024, to identify relevant articles. Key search terms included: 'preoxygenation,' 'high-flow nasal oxygenation,' 'non-invasive ventilation,' 'obese patients,' 'pediatric patients,' and 'elderly patients.'

EVIDENCE SYNTHESIS

The abstracts of identified articles were assessed for relevance, along with screening of their references for further relevant publications. A full-text review of 219 articles was undertaken, of which 77 were included in the final review.

CONCLUSIONS

Preoxygenation is really effective, and different preoxygenation equipment and technology can be applied in different clinical settings to improve the oxygen reserve of patients, thereby ensuring patient safety and improving patient outcome.

Oxygen in the newborn period: Could the oxygen reserve index offer a new perspective?

Oxygen therapy has been one of the main challenges in neonatal intensive care units (NICU). The guidelines currently in use try to balance the burden of hypoxia and hyperoxia such as retinopathy of prematurity, bronchopulmonary dysplasia, and death. The goal of this paper is to review neonatal oxygenation and the impact of hyperoxia and hypoxia in neonatal outcomes as well as review the available literature concerning the use of Oxygen Reserve Index (ORiTM) in clinical practice and its potential in Neonatology, particularly in NICU. Pulse oximetry has been used to monitor oxygenation in newborns with the advantage of being a noninvasive and continuous parameter, however it has limitations in detecting hyperoxemic states due to the flattening of the hemoglobin dissociation curve. The ORiTM is a new parameter that has been used to detect moderate hyperoxia and, when used in addiction to spO2, could be helpful in both hypoxia and hyperoxia. Studies using this tool are mainly in the adult population, during anesthetic procedures with only a small number of studies being performed in pediatric context. Oxygen targets remain a major problem for neonatal population and regardless of the efforts made to establish a safe oxygenation range, a more individualized approach seems to be the more appropriate pathway. ORiTM monitoring could help defining how much oxygen is too much for each newborn. Despite its promising potential, ORiTM is still a recent technology that requires more studies to determine its true potential in clinical practice.

What is your optimal target of oxygen during general anesthesia in pediatric patients?

The optimal oxygen target during general anesthesia remains difficult to define in pediatric and adult patients. Although access to pediatric patients has become difficult owing to a decrease in birth rate, pediatric anesthesia remains an important part of anesthesiology, and oxygenation related to general anesthesia is an essential part of any anesthesiologist. The use of oxygen has increased survival rates in adults and children; however, the side effects related to oxygen use have also increased. This review addresses the considerations of oxygenation in pediatric patients undergoing general anesthesia.

What are standard monitoring devices for anesthesia in future?

Monitoring the patient's physiological functions is critical in clinical anesthesia. The latest version of the Japanese Society of Anesthesiologists' Guidelines for Safe Anesthesia Monitoring, revised in 2019, covers various factors, including electroencephalogram monitoring, oxygenation, ventilation, circulation, and muscle relaxation. However, with recent advances in monitoring technologies, the information provided has become more detailed, requiring practitioners to update their knowledge. At a symposium organized by the Journal of Anesthesia in 2023, experts across five fields discussed their respective topics: anesthesiologists need to interpret not only the values displayed on processed electroencephalogram monitors but also raw electroencephalogram data in the foreseeable future. In addition to the traditional concern of preventing hypoxemia, monitoring for potential hyperoxemia and the effects of mechanical ventilation itself will become increasingly important. The importance of using AI analytics to predict hypotension, assess nociception, and evaluate microcirculation may increase. With the recent increase in the availability of neuromuscular monitoring devices in Japan, it is important for anesthesiologists to become thoroughly familiar with the features of each device to ensure its effective use. There is a growing desire to develop and introduce a well-organized, integrated "single screen" monitor.

Evaluation of the relationship between the STOP-Bang score with oxygen reserve index and difficult airway: a prospective observational study

BACKGROUND

Patients diagnosed with Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA) syndrome have a tendency towards hypoventilation, hypoxia, and hypercarbia in the perioperative period. This study hypothesized that the Oxygen Reserve Index (ORi) could predict possible hypoxia and determine difficult airways in patients at risk for OSA, as determined by the STOP-Bang questionnaire.

METHODS

This prospective study included adult patients undergoing elective surgery under general anesthesia with endotracheal intubation, divided into two groups: low risk (0-2 points) and high risk (3-8 points) based on their STOP-Bang questionnaire results. The primary outcome measure was the highest ORi value reached during preoxygenation and the time to reach this value. Data were recorded at four time points: before preoxygenation (T1), end of preoxygenation (T2), end of mask ventilation (T3), and end of intubation (T4), as well as partial oxygen pressure values in T1, T2, and T4. The secondary outcome measures were the grading scale for mask ventilation, Cormack-Lehane score, tonsil dimensions, use of a stylet, and application of the burp maneuver during intubation.

RESULTS

In the high-risk group, preoperative peripheral oxygen saturation values, the highest ORi value reached in preoxygenation, and ORi values at T3 and T4 times were lower, and the time to reach the highest ORi value was longer (p < 0.05).

CONCLUSION

Using ORi in patients with OSA may be useful in evaluating oxygenation, and since difficult airway is more common, ORi monitoring will better manage possible hypoxic conditions.

Association between Oxygen Reserve index and arterial partial pressure of oxygen during one-lung ventilation: a retrospective cohort study

PURPOSE

We aimed to investigate the association between the Oxygen Reserve index (ORi) and arterial partial pressure of oxygen (PaO2) during one-lung ventilation in patients who underwent non-cardiac thoracic surgery requiring one-lung ventilation.

METHODS

This retrospective study assessed the eligibility of 578 adult patients who underwent elective non-cardiac thoracic surgery requiring one-lung ventilation at a tertiary hospital, and their electronic medical records were reviewed. The ORi monitor was used in all patients during anesthesia, and arterial blood gas analysis was routinely performed 15 min after the initiation of one-lung ventilation. The primary endpoint was the association between ORi and PaO2 which were measured simultaneously during one-lung ventilation. We also investigated the risk factors for PaO2 less than 150 mmHg during one-lung ventilation.

RESULTS

Total of 554 patient were included in the analysis. The ORi value measured 15 min after the start of one-lung ventilation was significantly associated with PaO2 in the linear regression model (r2 = 0.5752, P < 0.001), and 0.27 of the ORi value could distinguish PaO2 ≥ 150 mmHg (sensitivity 0.909, specificity 0.932). Risk factors for PaO2 < 150 mmHg during one-lung ventilation included a lower ORi, older age, higher body mass index, left-sided one-lung ventilation, and lower hemoglobin concentrations.

CONCLUSION

This study suggested that ORi could provide useful information on arterial oxygenation even during one-lung ventilation for non-cardiac thoracic surgery.

Adequate Oxygenation State Maintained during Electroconvulsive Therapy in Nonobese Patients Using the Oxygen Reserve Index: A Pilot Study

Some controversial reports have observed oxygen desaturation (defined as percutaneous oxygen saturation (SpO2) < 90%) during electroconvulsive therapy (ECT). The purpose of this pilot study was to examine oxygenation states in eight patients during ECT. In addition to the usual hemodynamic monitors and pulse oximeter, the oxygen reserve index (ORi) was monitored using a pulse oximeter. Patients received either no preoxygenation or preoxygenation with 100% oxygen via a tight-fitting mask for 1 or 3 min before induction of anesthesia. ORi increased after preoxygenation. ORi differed significantly between 3 min of preoxygenation and the other two methods before restarting mask ventilation. SpO2 was significantly increased with all methods before stopping manual mask ventilation or before restarting manual mask ventilation compared with that before preoxygenation. No oxygen desaturation was observed at any time with any treatment methods. In nonobese patients, the adequate oxygenation state as shown by SpO2 and ORi was maintained during ECT even without preoxygenation.

Comparison between Arterial Blood Gases and Oxygen Reserve Index™ in a SCUBA Diver: A Case Report

Hypoxia and hyperoxia are both worrisome issues potentially affecting SCUBA divers, but validated methods to monitor these two conditions underwater are still lacking. In this experiment, a volunteer SCUBA diver was equipped with a pulse oximeter to detect peripheral oxygen saturation (SpO₂) and a device to monitor the oxygen reserve index (ORi™). ORi™ values were compared with arterial blood oxygen saturation (SaO₂) and the partial pressure of oxygen (PaO₂) obtained from the cannulated right radial artery at three steps: at rest out of water; at -15 m underwater after pedaling on a submerged bike; after resurfacing. SpO₂ and ORi™ mirrored the changes in SaO₂ and PaO₂, confirming the expected hyperoxia at depth. To confirm the potential usefulness of an integrated SpO₂ and ORi™ device, further studies are needed on a broader sample with different underwater conditions and diving techniques.

Anesthetic Management Using the Oxygen Reserve Index for Tracheal Resection and Tracheal End-to-End Anastomosis for a Malignant Thyroid Tumor With Tracheal Invasion

When tracheal invasion of cancerous diseases such as thyroid cancer occurs, tracheal resection followed by end-to-end anastomosis is a treatment of choice. Anesthetic management of the patient during this procedure may pose challenges, such as maintaining ventilation during tracheal dissection, resection of the tracheal invasion, and tracheal end-to-end anastomosis. Here, we have presented a case of a woman in her 50s. Computed tomography of the head and neck displayed a 31-mm mass in the medial lobe of the thyroid gland, and irregularities in the trachea and right tracheoesophageal groove. We decided to perform total thyroidectomy followed by tracheal resection and end-to-end tracheal anastomosis, as a radical treatment. Anesthetic management was successfully performed without a decrease in the peripheral blood oxygen saturation level, due to managing oxygenation by using the oxygen reserve index (ORI^TM) monitoring during the tracheostomy, tracheal infiltration division resection, and tracheal end-to-end suturing. This case was a unique situation requiring two intraoperative tube exchanges, but the ORI monitoring of oxygenation enabled safe anesthetic management.

[Difficult Airway Management (DAM) Algorithms - A narrative synopsis and site assessment]

Centuries ago an "algorithm" was originally inaugurated to depicture a pathway to solve mathematical problems using a decision tree. Nowadays this tool is also well established in clinical medicine. Ever since management errors in difficult airway handling and subsequent litigations remain high referring to ASA closed claims database. However, even since 2010, the ESA postulates every institution dealing with airway management should have a DAM algorithm (ESA Declaration of Helsinki on Patient Safety in Anaesthesiology). In 2018 a systematic review of 38 international DAM algorithms was published; most of them show a four-step flow chart: failed tracheal intubation, insufficient bag-mask ventilation and supraglottic airway, leads to establish an emergency sugical airway. In conclusion authors state that a universal, globally valid, DAM algorithm is lacking. German language guideline development is governed by the AWMF, which labels guidelines with the highest evidence levels and methodological strength "S3". The ASA published a revised DAM practice guideline in 2022, which was developed by 13 international members and was endorsed by international anesthesiological societies. - Though it is based on a systematic literature search and evaluation, final recommendations (without grading) were generated by a survey among experts in the field: Pre-procedural evaluation of the airway is essential; meanwhile more data are available especially regarding ultrasound examination of the upper airway and in 2022 a promising nomogram was developed for the prediction of difficult laryngoscopy. Pre-procedural planning of expected DAM: it should be decided beforehand, if awake intubation is feasible for the patient. Preoxygenation of every elective patient (3 mins with PEEP 5 cmH₂O, aim: 95% pulse oxymetry) and continuous nasal high-flow oxygen delivery during airway management. In case of unexpectedly difficult/emergency airway, ASA recommends: call for help, use cognitive aid (algorithm), consider restoration of spontaneous breathing, adjust bag-mask ventilation, monitor time passing; if "cannot intubate, cannot oxygenate" situation occurs (etCO₂ < 10 mmHg, < 80% pulse oxymetry) establish surgical airway; if failed consider ECMO therapy, if feasible and available. ASA restricts intubation attempts to 3+ based on experience and decision of the clinician, however evidence shows, that attempts should not exceed 2 attempts to avoid serious complications, e.g. hyoxemia and even cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR). Additionally, we recommend a cockpit strategy for airway management using crisis resource elements as used in aviation (situation awareness, sterile communication, read-back/hear-back and canned decisions) and a supervisor/team leader as already established in CPR. Last, but not least, continuous airway management training increases algorithm adherence.

Improving the management of patients with chronic cardiac and respiratory diseases by extending pulse-oximeter uses: the dynamic pulse-oximetry

Respiratory and cardio-vascular chronic diseases are among the most common noncommunicable diseases (NCDs) worldwide, accounting for a large portion of health-care costs in terms of mortality and disability. Their prevalence is expected to rise further in the coming years as the population ages. The current model of care for diagnosing and monitoring NCDs is out of date because it results in late medical interventions and/or an unfavourable cost-effectiveness balance based on reported symptoms and subsequent inpatient tests and treatments. Health projects and programs are being implemented in an attempt to move the time of an NCD's diagnosis, as well as its monitoring and follow up, out of hospital settings and as close to real life as possible, with the goal of benefiting both patients' quality of life and health system budgets. Following the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic, this implementation received additional impetus. Pulseoximeters (POs) are currently used in a variety of clinical settings, but they can also aid in the telemonitoring of certain patients. POs that can measure activities as well as pulse rate and oxygen saturation as proxies of cardio-vascular and respiratory function are now being introduced to the market. To obtain these data, the devices must be absolutely reliable, that is, accurate and precise, and capable of recording for a long enough period of time to allow for diagnosis. This paper is a review of current pulse-oximetry (POy) use, with the goal of investigating how its current use can be expanded to manage not only cardio-respiratory NCDs, but also acute emergencies with telemonitoring when hospitalization is not required but the patients' situation is debatable. Newly designed devices, both "consumer" and "professional," will be scrutinized, particularly those capable of continuously recording vital parameters on a 24-hour basis and coupling them with daily activities, a practice known as dynamic pulse-oximetry.

Investigation of preoxygenation methods in cesarean surgeries with the oxygen reserve index

OBJECTIVES

To investigate preoxygenation methods that were carried out for 3 minutes (min) at tidal volume and 30 seconds (s) with the 4 deep vital capacity technique using the Oxygen Reserve Index (ORI) among pregnant women.

METHODS

This prospective study was carried out between December 2020 and 2021. The patients were randomly divided into 2 groups with the provision of preoxygenation using 100% O2 at a rate of 10 L.min-1 for 3 min at normal tidal volume (Group 1) and 30 s with the 4 deep vital capacity technique (Group 2). For the pregnant women who underwent routine anesthesia induction, hemodynamic parameters before preoxygenation, as well as their fraction of inspired O2 (FiO2), fraction of expired O2 (FeO2), and ORI values were recorded after preoxygenation and 0, 3 and 7 minutes after intubation (T1, T2, T3, and T4).

RESULTS

The study was completed with 66 patients. FiO2 values were found to be low in T1 (p=0.012) in Group 1, and high in FeO2 values in T1 and T2 (p=0.025 and 0.009) in Group 2, while no significant differences were found at other times (p>0.05). Oxygen Reserve Index values did not show a significant difference in comparisons between groups, but ORI values of Group 1 after intubation were significantly lower than those measured after preoxygenation in in-group comparisons (p<0.001). According to the results of the correlation analyses between the mean ORI values and their mean FeO2 and FiO2 values, there were weak and positive statistically significant relationships at T3 and T4 (p<0.05).

CONCLUSION

As we obtained greater FiO2 and FeO2 values in preoxygenation with the 30 s 4 deep vital capacity method, and because this method did not cause a significant decrease in the post-intubation ORI values, we believe that the usage of this method in cesarean section surgeries may be appropriate.

[Oxygen reserve index: a new parameter for oxygen therapy]

Oxygen reserve index (ORI) is a novel dimensionless index used for noninvasive, real-time, and continuous monitoring of oxygenation, and ORI value ranges from 0 to 1, which reflects the range of 100-200 mmHg for arterial partial pressure of oxygen. ORI combined with pulse oximetry may help to accurately adjust the concentration of inspired oxygen and prevent hyperoxemia and hypoxemia. ORI is suitable for various clinical situations, and the medical staff should master this novel parameter and use it properly to assess the oxygenation of patients. In addition, several limitations of ORI should be noticed during clinical application.

Hyperoxia by short-term promotes oxidative damage and mitochondrial dysfunction in rat brain

Oxygen (O₂) therapy is used as a therapeutic protocol to prevent or treat hypoxia. However, a high inspired fraction of O₂ (FIO₂) promotes hyperoxia, a harmful condition for the central nervous system (CNS). The present study evaluated parameters of oxidative stress and mitochondrial dysfunction in the brain of rats exposed to different FIO₂. Male Wistar rats were exposed to hyperoxia (FIO₂ 40 % and 60 %) compared to the control group (FIO₂ 21 %) for 2 h. Oxidative stress, neutrophilic infiltration, and mitochondrial respiratory chain enzymes were determined in the hippocampus, striatum, cerebellum, cortex, and prefrontal cortex after O₂ exposure. The animals exposed to hyperoxia showed increased lipid peroxidation, formation of carbonyl proteins, N/N concentration, and neutrophilic infiltration in some brain regions, like hippocampus, striatum, and cerebellum being the most affected. Furthermore, CAT activity and activity of mitochondrial enzyme complexes were also altered after exposure to hyperoxia. Rats exposed to hyperoxia showed increase in oxidative stress parameters and mitochondrial dysfunction in brain structures.

How early warning with the Oxygen Reserve Index (ORi™) can improve the detection of desaturation during induction of general anesthesia?

The Oxygen Reserve Index (ORi™) is a dimensionless parameter with a value between 0 and 1. It is related to the real-time oxygenation status in the moderate hyperoxic range. The purpose of this study is to investigate the added warning time provided by different ORi alarm triggers and the continuous trends of ORi, SpO₂, and PaO₂. We enrolled 25 patients who were scheduled for elective surgery under general anesthesia with planned arterial catheterization before induction. The participants received standardized preoxygenation, induction, and intubation. The patients remained apneic and ventilation was resumed when the SpO₂ fell below 90%. The ORi and SpO₂ were recorded every ten seconds and arterial blood was sampled every minute, from preoxygenation to resumed ventilation. Alarm triggers set to the ORi peak and the ORi 0.55 values provided 300 and 145 s of significant added warning time compared to SpO₂ (p < 0.0001). The coefficient of determination was 0.56 between the ORi and the PaO₂ ≤ 240 mmHg and showed a positive correlation. The ORi enables the clinicians to monitor the patients' oxygen status during induction of general anesthesia and can improve the detection of impending desaturation. However, further studies are needed to assess its clinical potential in the high hyperoxic range.The protocol was retrospectively registered at ClinicalTrials.gov on July 21, 2021 (NCT04976504).

The use of oxygen reserve index in one-lung ventilation and its impact on peripheral oxygen saturation, perfusion index and, pleth variability index

Background

Our goal is to investigate the use of the oxygen reserve index (ORi) to detect hypoxemia and its relation with parameters such as; peripheral oxygen saturation, perfusion index (PI), and pleth variability index (PVI) during one-lung ventilation (OLV).

Methods

Fifty patients undergoing general anesthesia and OLV for elective thoracic surgeries were enrolled in an observational cohort study in a tertiary care teaching hospital. All patients required OLV after a left-sided double-lumen tube insertion during intubation. The definition of hypoxemia during OLV is a peripheral oxygen saturation (SpO2) value of less than 95%, while the inspired oxygen fraction (FiO2) is higher than 50% on a pulse oximetry device. ORi, pulse oximetry, PI, and PVI values were measured continuously. Sensitivity, specificity, positive and negative predictive values, likelihood ratios, and accuracy were calculated for ORi values equal to zero in different time points during surgery to predict hypoxemia. At Clinicaltrials.gov registry, the Registration ID is NCT05050552.

Results

Hypoxemia was observed in 19 patients (38%). The accuracy for predicting hypoxemia during anesthesia induction at ORi value equals zero at 5 min after intubation in the supine position (DS5) showed a sensitivity of 92.3% (95% CI 84.9–99.6), specificity of 81.1% (95% CI 70.2–91.9), and an accuracy of 84.0% (95% CI 73.8–94.2). For predicting hypoxemia, ORi equals zero show good sensitivity, specificity, and statistical accuracy values for time points of DS5 until OLV30 where the sensitivity of 43.8%, specificity of 64%, and an accuracy of 56.1% were recorded. ORi and SpO2 correlation was found at DS5, 5 min after lateral position with two-lung ventilation (DL5) and at 10 min after OLV (OLV10) (p = 0.044, p = 0.039, p = 0.011, respectively). Time-dependent correlations also showed that; at a time point of DS5, ORi has a significant negative correlation with PI whereas, no correlations with PVI were noted.

Conclusions

During the use of OLV for thoracic surgeries, from 5 min after intubation (DS5) up to 30 min after the start of OLV, ORi provides valuable information in predicting hypoxemia defined as SpO2 less than 95% on pulse oximeter at FiO2 higher than 50%.

Investigation of the optimal method of oxygen administration with simultaneous use of a surgical mask: a randomized control study

Purpose

From the perspective of infection prevention during the Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, a recommendation was made to use surgical masks after extubation in patients in the operating room. For compliance with this recommendation, anesthesiologists need to administer oxygen to the patient with an oxygen mask over the surgical mask. However, no studies have investigated whether this method allows good maintenance of oxygenation in patients. This study aimed to investigate which method of oxygen administration lends itself best to use with a surgical mask in terms of oxygenation.

Method

We administered oxygen to the study subjects using all the following three methods in random order: an oxygen mask over or under a surgical mask and a nasal cannula under the surgical mask. Oxygenation was assessed using the oxygen reserve index (ORi) and end-tidal oxygen concentration (EtO₂).

Result

This study included 24 healthy volunteers. ORi values with administration of oxygen were higher in the order of a nasal cannula under the surgical mask, an oxygen mask under the surgical mask, and an oxygen mask over the surgical mask, with median values of 0.50, 0.48, and 0.43, respectively, and statistically significant differences between all groups (P < 0.001). EtO₂ values were in the same order as ORi, with median values of 33.0%, 31.0%, and 25%, respectively, and statistically significant differences between all groups (P < 0.001).

Conclusion

Wearing a surgical mask over the nasal cannula during oxygen administration is beneficial for oxygenation and might help prevent aerosol dispersal.

Supplementary Information

The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s00540-021-02998-6.