Data analysis and assessment of CAR:
The SpO2, heart rate (HR) and crRTO data were archived in the memory of the pulse oximeter and NIRS machines as a value recorded every 2 seconds, and transferred after the CAR test for further off line analysis. FiO2 was captured from records of mechanical ventilation. All data were studied using SPSS program to test the correlation of SpO2 with each of crRTO, FiO2, calculated FOE, and HR. The correlation between SpO2 and crRTO was also assessed during the most significant hypoxemic episodes, measured at rest without handling, during the monitoring period. Significant concordance (r >0.5) is seen when oxygen delivery becomes dependent on arterial saturation, due to impaired CAR. The end point of the integrated monitoring was 72 hours after the CAR assessment test.