Beyond Hemodialysis: Pulse Oximetry as a Predictive Index for Cardiac Health and Holistic Wellness

Background and Objective: Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD) is a major global health concern characterized by the gradual loss of kidney function over time. The objective of this study is to answer the question of whether measuring blood oxygen saturation via pulse oximetry serves as an appropriate indicator for predicting cardiac risks during hemodialysis.

Materials and Methods: In this review study, a search was conducted in the PubMed, ScienceDirect, Scopus, Google Scholar, and SID databases using the keywords "pulse oximetry," "photoplethysmography," "hemodialysis," and "cardiac risks (including hypotension, cardiac arrhythmia, and heart failure)," within the time frame of 2020 to 2025. After reviewing the manuscript, eight relevant studies were finally selected. Letters to the editor were excluded from the study.

Findings: The results of the review indicated that monitoring blood oxygen saturation and taking timely action play a role in preventing cardiac risks, alongside other diagnostic methods. This highlights the importance of monitoring this indicator throughout treatment sessions to predict subsequent risks in CKD patients, particularly during episodic hypotensive episodes and cardiac complications.

Conclusion: Based on the findings, it is recommended that the assessment of hemoglobin oxygen saturation in dialysis patients be performed as a non-invasive method for the early detection of cardiac problems in hemodialysis patients during dialysis sessions.