Long-Term Oxygen Therapy: Is 24 Hours a Day Better Than 15?

Not according to a randomized trial of supplemental oxygen for patients with severe resting hypoxemia.

Current guidelines recommend at least 15 hours of long-term oxygen therapy for patients with chronic lung disease and severe hypoxemia (NEJM JW Gen Med Feb 15 2021 and Am J Respir Crit Care Med 2020; 202:e121), with suggestions to extend oxygen therapy to 24 hours (Thorax 2015; 70 [Suppl 1]:i1).

To determine if 9 additional hours of therapy daily offers clinical benefits, Swedish investigators performed a randomized trial to compare 24-hour and 15-hour oxygen therapy in 241 patients (mean age, 77) with severe hypoxemia (PaO₂ <55 mm Hg or SpO₂ <88% while breathing room air; or PaO₂ <60 mm Hg plus signs of heart failure or polycythemia [hematocrit, >0.54]). Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease was the most common indication (>60%). The 15-hou…

Reviewing Author

Raja-Elie E. Abdulnour, MD

Disclosures

Nothing to disclose

Raja-Elie E. Abdulnour, MD

Disclosures

Nothing to disclose

Long-Term Oxygen Therapy: Is 24 Hours a Day Better Than 15?

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Reviewing Author