Dyspnea: perfusion index and triage status

Purpose: To determine the relationship between perfusion index and the emergency triage classification in patients admitted to the emergency department with dyspnea. Methods: Adult patients who presented with dyspnea and whose perfusion index values ​​were measured with Masimo Radical-7 device at the time of admission, at the first hour and the second hour of admission were included in the study. The PI and oxygen saturation measured by finger probes were compared and the superiority of their effects on the emergency triage classification was compared. Results: For the 0.9 cut- off value of the arrival PI level according to the triage status; sensitivity 79.25%; specificity 78.12%; positive predictive value is 66.7 and negative predictive value is 87.2. A statistically significant correlation was found between the triage status and the 0.9 cut- off value of the admission PI level. We can say that the ODDS rate of red triage is 13.63 times (95% CI: 5.99–31.01) times higher in cases with a PI level of 0.9 and below. In the ROC analysis, the cut-off value of 1.1 and above the admission PI level was determined as the most appropriate point for discharge. Conclusion: The perfusion index can help to determine the triage classification in emergency departments for dyspnea. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s10877-023-00995-6.