Different Oxygenation Targets Didn't Affect Organ Failure

Critically ill patients had similar outcomes when partial pressure of oxygen levels were maintained at low-normal or high-normal levels.

Clinicians continue to debate the appropriate oxygenation target for critically ill patients. Although hypoxemia can be life-threatening, some studies suggest that too much oxygen also can be harmful and result in organ dysfunction. Dutch investigators randomized 400 patients with systemic inflammatory response syndrome to either low-normal (partial pressure of oxygen [PaO₂], 60–90 mm Hg) or high-normal (PaO₂, 105–135 mm Hg) oxygenation targets. Three quarters of patients were receiving mechanical ventilation and vasopressor support. Median number of daily blood gas samples ranged from 6 (on day 2) to 4 (on day 15).

Organ dysfunction (i.e., change over time in the nonrespiratory sequential organ failure assessment [SOFA] score) did not diffe…

Reviewing Author

Patricia Kritek, MD

Disclosures

Editorial BoardsATS Scholar

Patricia Kritek, MD

Disclosures

Editorial BoardsATS Scholar

Different Oxygenation Targets Didn't Affect Organ Failure

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Reviewing Author