Deferring Arterial Catheterization in Critically Ill Patients with Shock
Abstract
To the Editor: The article by Muller et al. (Nov. 13 issue) 1 about deferring arterial catheterization in critically ill patients with shock provides insights into clinical management in France. However, we wish to raise a concern regarding the reliance on peripheral oxygen saturation (Sp o 2 ) monitoring in this trial and the potential of this method to introduce a systematic bias known as occult hypoxemia. A recent study on intraoperative occult hypoxemia 2 showed that the Sp o 2 can significantly overestimate the arterial oxygen saturation (Sa o 2 ), particularly in persons with darkly pigmented skin. Undetected hypoxemia (Sa o 2 ,
Fields of Study & Subjects
Hemodynamic Monitoring and Therapy
Non-Invasive Vital Sign Monitoring
Sepsis Diagnosis and Treatment
Publication details
- Journal / source
- New England Journal of Medicine
- Volume
- 394
- Issue
- 9
- Pages
- 928–930
- Publication date
- 25 February 2026
- Language
- EN