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Oxygen Index Equation:
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The Oxygen Index (OI) is a calculation used in critical care medicine to assess the severity of lung disease and the effectiveness of oxygen therapy. It combines fractional inspired oxygen (FiO2), mean airway pressure (MAP), and arterial oxygen tension (PaO2) into a single value.
The calculator uses the Oxygen Index equation:
Where:
Explanation: The equation quantifies the relationship between oxygen delivery and oxygenation efficiency, with higher values indicating more severe respiratory failure.
Details: Oxygen Index is particularly valuable in neonatal and pediatric intensive care for assessing respiratory failure severity, guiding ventilator management, and determining the need for advanced support like ECMO.
Tips: Enter FiO2 as a decimal (0.21-1.0), MAP in cmH2O, and PaO2 in mmHg. All values must be valid positive numbers with PaO2 > 0.
Q1: What is a normal Oxygen Index value?
A: Normal OI is typically less than 5. Values between 5-15 indicate mild to moderate respiratory failure, 15-25 moderate to severe, and above 25 severe failure often requiring ECMO consideration.
Q2: How does OI differ from Oxygenation Index?
A: Oxygen Index and Oxygenation Index are often used interchangeably, though some sources distinguish between them. Both assess oxygenation efficiency in respiratory failure.
Q3: When is Oxygen Index most commonly used?
A: Primarily in neonatal and pediatric intensive care settings for assessing respiratory distress syndrome and other severe lung diseases.
Q4: What are the limitations of Oxygen Index?
A: OI may be less accurate in patients with significant hemodynamic instability or those receiving high-frequency oscillatory ventilation.
Q5: How often should Oxygen Index be calculated?
A: In critically ill patients, OI should be calculated regularly (every 4-6 hours or with significant changes in respiratory status) to monitor disease progression and treatment response.