Types of Photoplethysmographic Waves in Adult Patients with Septic Shock

Photoplethysmography is the technology used in pulse oximeters in order to calculate arterial oxygen saturation and pulse rate, this technology generates a wave whose morphology has been related to blood flow and arterial tone. Recently Tusman and collaborators described a morphological classification of the photoplethysmografic wave that has a high correlation with arterial tone, such classification is divided in 6 types; Types I and II indicate vasoconstriction, Type III normal arterial tone and Types IV, V and VI describe mild, medium and severe vasodilation respectively, therefore it could be used to identify the arterial tone in those patients with septic shock. This study will identify the type of photoplethysmographic waves that are present in adults with septic shock based in the Tusman and collaborators classification, it will also describe the frequency of appearance and their correlation with other hemodynamic variables such as capillary refill, serum lactate, mottling score, heart rate, mean arterial pressure, pulse pressure and perfusion index.