Quantification of oxygen saturation during episodic hypoxemia.

Because current analyses of episodic hypoxemia use methods, that present only a segment of the O2 profile over time, the results may be misleading. We analyzed recordings of O2 saturation versus time using an off-line X-Y digitizer. Results could be presented as a distribution function or a cumulative distribution function of O2 saturation during the recording period. The major usefulness of this technique is in the analysis of the intermittent hypoxia that occurs in patients with obstructive sleep apnea syndrome or cor pulmonale.