Oxygenation index

Oxygenation index (OI) is a calculation used in intensive care medicine to measure the fraction of inspired oxygen (FiO2) and its usage within the body. It is a useful indicator of how well oxygen is being delivered to the areas of the body that need it most, particularly in patients with respiratory distress syndrome (RDS) and other conditions that affect oxygen levels in the blood.

Calculation

The oxygenation index is calculated using the following formula:

$OI=(FiO2xMAPx100)/PaO2$

Where:

• FiO2 is the fraction of inspired oxygen
• MAP is the mean airway pressure
• PaO2 is the partial pressure of oxygen in arterial blood

Clinical significance

The oxygenation index is used to assess the severity of hypoxemic respiratory failure, particularly in neonates and children. An OI of greater than 25 is often used as a criterion for the initiation of extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) in patients with severe respiratory failure.

See also

• Respiratory distress syndrome
• Extracorporeal membrane oxygenation
• Hypoxemic respiratory failure

References

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