The determination of the amount of oxygen present in arterial blood is a crucial diagnostic procedure. This measurement reflects the efficacy of gas exchange within the lungs and the capacity of the circulatory system to deliver oxygen to the tissues. It is expressed as the total volume of oxygen carried in each deciliter of arterial blood, encompassing both oxygen bound to hemoglobin and oxygen dissolved in plasma. For example, a healthy individual might exhibit a value of approximately 20 mL O2/dL.
This calculation holds significant importance in assessing respiratory function, guiding therapeutic interventions in critical care settings, and monitoring patients with cardiopulmonary diseases. Understanding this value is essential for evaluating the severity of hypoxemia and informing decisions regarding oxygen supplementation or mechanical ventilation. Its use has dramatically improved patient care outcomes since its introduction as a standard clinical assessment.