Spurious hypoxemia in a patient with a history of chronic lymphocytic leukemia in the context of acute myocardial infarction: a case report
Abstract
Introduction: Chronic lymphocytic leukemia can cause spurious hypoxemia due to the excessive oxygen consumption by the high number of leukocytes in the blood sample. In this condition, the ratio between oxygen saturation measured by pulse oximetry and the fraction of inspired oxygen (SpO₂/FiO₂), despite its limitations, has been used as an alternative tool to estimate arterial oxygenation.
Case presentation: A 77-year-old male patient diagnosed with acute myocardial infarction who required invasive mechanical ventilation (IMV) and remained hospitalized for 12 days. A dissociation was observed between the SpO₂ and arterial blood gas values.
Conclusion: The SpO₂/FiO₂ ratio could be used as an alternative guide for decision-making regarding oxygenation in patients diagnosed with spurious hypoxemia and requiring IMV.
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