The short answer is yes it does. There is a research article, which is based on the Effect of Local Limb Temperature on Pulse Oximetry. In this experiment, participants dipped right limb in warm water and the other limb in cold water. The variation in the readings of the pulse ox monitor was studied by the scientists.
How this expierment was done
In the above-mentioned article. 2 pulse oximetry was used on both hands. One hand was dipped in warm water and another in cold water. This was done to measure the following
- SpO2 (peripheral capillary oxygen saturation)
- SvO2 (venous oxygen saturation )
- PTI (plethysmography time interval)
Results
- Local hyperthermia made SpO2 to significantly decrease
- Local hypothermia caused SpO2 to significantly increase
- Peripheral SvO2 significantly increased in the warm hand and decreased in the cold hand
- PTI remained unchanged in the cold and as well as in the warm hand
Change in the reading
Fingertip pulse oximeter reading changes with respect to the limb temperature. The change in spO2 can be explained by temperature-dependent arteriovenous shunts in the periphery. It probably reflects the altered transmission of arterial pulsations to venous blood in the finger.
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