Abstract
In order to elucidate the blood gas and heart rate changes caused by bilateral nasal packing, 21 healthy subjects who had had septoplasty or septorhinoplasty were investigated with pre- and post-operative blood gas measurements and 24-h Holter monitoring. Nasal packing caused a significant decrease in O2 saturation (P < 0.05), a borderline decrease in PO2 (P = 0.09), insignificant changes in PCO2, pH and HCO3 (P > 0.05), a significant increase in minimum and mean heart rates (P < 0.05) and insignificant changes in maximum heart rates; however, further research is necessary to elucidate the direct cause-and-effect relationship. No serious arrhythmias were observed. Although these changes may be within normal levels for healthy subjects, they may have serious consequences for patients with cardiopulmonary diseases.
This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.
Similar content being viewed by others
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Additional information
Received: 19 February 2001 / Accepted: 14 September 2001
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Ögretmenoglu, O., Yılmaz, T., Rahimi, K. et al. The effect on arterial blood gases and heart rate of bilateral nasal packing. Eur Arch Otorhinolaryngol 259, 63–66 (2002). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00405-001-0422-1
Published:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00405-001-0422-1