Oxygen Saturation (SaO2)
- Sample Type
- Standard
- Fasting
- No
- Unit
- %
SaO2, measured via Arterial Blood Gas (ABG), represents the percentage of hemoglobin binding sites occupied by oxygen in arterial blood. Unlike pulse oximetry (SpO2), SaO2 is a direct measurement and is the gold standard for assessing a patient's oxygenation status. It is vital in evaluating respiratory failure, monitoring patients on ventilators, and managing chronic conditions like COPD or interstitial lung disease.
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Enter your lab result to see where you stand compared to the standard reference range.
Why Context Matters
SaO2 can be falsely 'normal' in carbon monoxide poisoning because standard ABG machines (unless using co-oximetry) may not distinguish carboxyhemoglobin from oxyhemoglobin, leading to a dangerous overestimation of actual oxygen delivery to tissues.
Lab ranges are statistical averages, not biological laws. "Normal" for a 20-year-old male isn't normal for a 60-year-old female.
Clinical References
Source-of-truth databases and clinical guidelines for Oxygen Saturation (SaO2):
Official Sources
- Hypoxia - StatPearls - NCBI Bookshelfncbi.nlm.nih.gov
Research & Guidelines
- PubMed: Oxygen Saturation (SaO2) Clinical GuidelinesNCBI / PubMed
Related Indicators
Medically Reviewed by Dr. Binoy Babu, MBBS
Board Certified Doctor • 10+ Years Clinical Experience
Dr. Babu is a practicing physician dedicated to empowering patients with clear, actionable medical information. He founded 2opi to bridge the gap between complex lab reports and patient understanding, ensuring everyone has access to a reliable second opinion.
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