Oximeter Flat Pulse Line - Need Help Interpreting...

[averian]

I wanted to share a snippet of my oximeter graph from last night. I did not use xPAP because I did this as a test to get a baseline reading from my oximeter. Of note, the finger sensor was taped and I had 0% artifact, so the accuracy of the readings don't seem suspect to me, but of course that can never be ruled out.

In particular, I don't understand the flat line that occurs for about 3 minutes at 82bpm. In the week I've had the oximeter using it in conjuction with xPAP, I haven't seen my pulse rate flat line for any period of time worth noting (it is constantly changing like the rest of the graph shows). Any ideas on what is going on there? Did my pulse stop, or for that to happen would the pulse drop to 0 or simply show up as artifact/no reading?

I'm having some other issues with aerophagia which I'll save for a separate post, but right now it is that flat line that really has my attention (pic posted below).

[Peaktagger]

Sure looks like an artifact of some sort to me .. the behavior is reflected in both your spo2 and pulse ...

[ca_hosehead]

I have an oximeter like yours and I've never seen a line that flat. Looks like a glitch of some sort to me.

If your pulse stopped the graph would have dropped to zero. Usually when I take the sensor off I see a "no reading" indication (different colored line). The "no reading" indication stays perfectly flat but the line is always a different color. When I put the sensor back on the readings go very low, come up to normal levels and then stabilize.

[dsm]

The chart you are showing is a highly compressed one & the real data isn't coming through, just an average.

I am pretty sure your software will allow you to examine a couple of hours of the data (mine does) & you will see the missing detail.

Good luck

DSM

(I have the CMS-50E version)

[averian]

Unfortunately, the average graph posted is still what things look like when I drill down to the minute interval and then the second interval views: a solid straight line. Normally this kind of behavior shows up as a gray line as ca_hosehead pointed out, but 0 motion or removal artifacts were noted by the meter. I'm thinking it must just be a glitch.

[OutaSync]

Are you sure there isn't a tiny little grey line just before it goes flat? All my flat lines were preceded by a tiny grey break. You can't see it until you look at it minut by minute.

[averian]

Below is largest view of the flat line I can post without the need for scrolling (it is flat even at the per second interval). I would have fully expected to see an artifact with a grayed out section at the beginning, but it is a solid blue line and the oximeter report says 0 artifacts. I think the logic on the oximeter just didn't catch an imperfect connection at that point because the flat line just doesn't really make sense otherwise, unless I'm missing something.

[Peaktagger]

Maybe the thing just uses the last bit of good data when it is getting sketchy readings ... whatever it is, it does not reflect reality as both spo2 and pulse are affected ... I would discard the data for those 3 minutes as it is suspect.