Desaturated
Describing blood or a patient with reduced oxygen saturation, typically below normal physiological levels.
Full Definition
In congenital cardiology, 'desaturated' refers to blood or a patient with oxygen saturation levels below the normal range (typically less than 95% in healthy individuals). This condition commonly results from right-to-left shunting in cyanotic congenital heart disease, where deoxygenated blood bypasses the lungs and enters systemic circulation. Desaturation may be chronic in complex congenital lesions or acute during cardiac events. Editorial teams should distinguish this from related terms like 'hypoxic' or 'cyanotic,' which have slightly different clinical implications.
Usage
Usage note: Avoid confusion with 'desaturated' in color theory contexts; always clarify oxygen saturation in medical use.
In Context
- "The patient remained chronically desaturated with baseline oxygen saturations of 85%." — Clinical progress note
- "Exercise testing revealed progressive desaturation with increased activity levels." — Exercise physiology report