Indications de l'oxymétrie nocturne en pratique clinique

Overnight oximetry is a simple and inexpensive tool which is widely used in the management of sleep-disordered breathing (SDB). However, the method has indications and limitations outlined in this report. Overnight oximetry is undeniably useful for SDB screening, for simple and rapid evaluation of SDB treatment with continuous positive airway pressure or non-invasive ventilation, for the titration of mandibular advancement in oral appliance treatment and lastly, to prioritize patients for diagnostic evaluation when SDB is suspected. However, overnight oximetry cannot ascertain a diagnosis of SDB, cannot predict the obstructive or central nature of the respiratory disorder and cannot detect SDB without desaturation.