The Role of Long-term Continuous Oxygen Administration in Patients with Chronic Airway Obstruction with Hypoxemia

Abstract

Six patients were studied intensively to determine the safety and benefit of long term continuous O2 administration in chronic airway obstruction with hypoxemia. Patients with severe disease manifesting marked arterial unsaturation, secondary erythrocythemia and cor pulmonale were hospitalized for a 2 month period in a clinical research ward, then followed as out-patients. In the initial month study patients were treated with an intensive medical regimen and physical therapy; 24 hrs. a day, low flow oxygen was added to this program in the 2nd month. No toxic effects of oxygen were noted. Oxygen improved clinical status, increased exercise tolerance, reversed secondary erythrocythemia, and caused a significant fall in pulmonary arteriolar resistance. Oxygen is an important adjunct for any rehabilitation program in chronic airway obstruction with hypoxemia.