🩸 Arterial Oxygen Content (CaO₂)
Calculate arterial oxygen content (CaO₂) carried per 100 mL of blood.
Arterial Oxygen Content (CaO₂)
Haemoglobin (g/dL)
SaO₂ (%)
PaO₂ (mmHg)
When to use
Quantify oxygen content for delivery and shunt calculations.
How it works
CaO₂ = 1.34 × Hb × SaO₂ + 0.0031 × PaO₂. Normal ≈ 18–20 mL O₂/dL.
Key points
- Most oxygen is bound to haemoglobin; dissolved O₂ is small.
- Anaemia lowers content despite a normal SaO₂.
- Feeds into DO₂ and oxygen extraction calculations.
References
Decision support for licensed clinicians only; not a substitute for clinical judgement, diagnosis or local protocols.