Oxygen therapy
Long-term oxygen (O
2) therapy is a principal therapy in stage IV (very severe) COPD. The primary goal is to increase the baseline arterial oxygen [PaO
2 to at least 60 mmHg] and/or produce a haemoglobin O
2 saturation (SaO
2) of at least 90%. It has been shown to prolong life in COPD patients with low O
2 levels [whose PaO
2 is <55 mmHg]. Continual 24-hour use is more effective than a 12-hour nocturnal regimen. O
2 therapy brings haematocrit toward normal levels, moderately improves neuropsychologic factors, possibly by facilitating sleep and ameliorates pulmonary haemodynamic abnormalities. O
2 therapy also increases exercise tolerance in many patients.
O
2 saturation should be measured during exercise and while at rest.
Reference
-
Global Initiative for chronic obstructive lung disease: Global strategy for the diagnosis, management, and prevention of COPD.
2010.
www.goldcopd.org