Oxygen pulse

Abstract

This chapter outlines how dividing the volume of oxygen uptake (VO2) by the pulse rate gives an estimate of the stroke volume of the heart. The amount of oxygen taken up with each heartbeat is called the oxygen pulse (O2 pulse). It should increase steadily on exercise to a value above 10 ml/beat and may continue to rise during the recovery phase. A low O2 pulse can be an indicator of low cardiac output. If the maximum VO2 (VO2max) is normal, caution should be used in the interpretation of a low O2 pulse. Sometimes the O2 pulse is abnormal because of a fall in peripheral arterial oxygen saturation (SpO2) or mixed venous oxygen levels.