Oxygen Content (Arterial Blood)
Info
Hemoglobin
unit g/dL g/L
Oxygen saturation arterial blood
unit % Fraction
Partial pressure of arterial oxygen
unit mmHg kPa
R e s u l t s
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CaO2
 
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Oxygen Content (Arterial Blood)

Oxygen content of arterial blood is the mL of Oxygen bound to 100 mL of Arterial blood.

 

This oxygen content relates to the Hemoglobin (Hgb) content, as 1.36 mL of Oxygen can bind to each gram of Hgb.  Additionally, as oxygen is dissolved in solution, the PaO 2 increases the amount of O 2 in arterial blood.

 

Dr. Gustav von Hüfner researched arterial blood's oxygen content in the 1800's; finding 1.34 mL O 2 /gram of hgb.  This has been modified slightly by the International Union of Pure and Applied Chemistry (IUPAC) to 1.36 mL O 2 /gram of hgb in vitro.

The formula used is:

CaO 2 = (Hgb * 1.36 * SaO2 / 100) + PaO2 * 0.0031

  • CaO 2 =Oxygen content in mL per 100 mL arterial blood
  • Hgb=Hemoglobin in g/dL
  • 1.36= Hüfner's constant of O 2 in mL bound to 1 gram of Hgb
  • SaO 2 =Oxygen saturation arterial blood in %
  • PaO 2 =Partial pressure of arterial oxygen in mmHg
  • 0.0031=mL of O 2 that dissolves in 100 mL of solution per mmHg of PaO 2

 

Interpretation:

NormalRange: 16-22 ml O2/ 100 ml blood on Room Air

 

Reference:

Toben B. Pitfalls in the Measurement and Interpretation of Hemoglobin, Oxyhemoglobin Saturation and Oxygen Content in Point-of-Care Devices. RT for Decision Makers in Respiratory Care. 2008;21(1). Available at http://www.itcmed.com/documents/MVOX15_0108.pdf [last accessed 15 June 2008]