A Retrospective Analysis of Oxygen Desaturation during Acoustic Respiratory Rate Monitoring in Non-ICU Patients following Tracheal Extubation after General Anesthesia

Purpose. Acoustic respiratory rate (RRa) monitoring provides an accurate estimation of the respiratory rate (RR). We investigated the incidence of oxygen desaturation under RRa monitoring in a postoperative setting and identified its related factors. Methods. This study was a retrospective chart review of postoperative patients outside an intensive care unit setting. Using the data collected during the first 8 h postoperatively, patients were divided into oxygen desaturated (SpO(2) < 90% for >10 s) and nondesaturated groups under oxygen administration. Multivariate analysis was used to determine oxygen desaturation-associated explanatory factors. Results. Oxygen desaturation was detected in 102 of 935 patients (10.9%). % vital capacity [odds ratio (OR), 0.885 per 10% increase; 95% confidence interval (CI), 0.790 to 0.992], coexisting chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (OR, 2.195; 95% CI, 1.088 to 4.428), and absence of a critical RRa change (RR > 30 or <8 beats/min for >2 min) (OR, 1.972; 95% CI, 1.226 to 3.172) were independently associated with oxygen desaturation. Conclusion. Postoperative oxygen desaturation was observed in more than 10% of the patients whose RR was monitored by RRa under oxygen therapy. It is more likely to occur in patients with impaired pulmonary function or morbid pulmonary status and can also occur in the absence of abnormal RR.