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Paediatric Pulmonology and Allergology
2003 April, Vol. VI, No. 1 (pp.2188-2194)
Long-Term Oxygen Therapy
Elena Bernotiene, Remigijus Valdemaras Nargela, Aleksandras Balbieris
First data about benefits of long-term oxygen therapy (LTOT) was announced by the Denver Group in 1967.
LTOT is prescribed for a patients who suffer from hypoxaemia due to chronic lung or hart diseases. Hyposxaemia is determined by measuring arterial blood gases (ABG). According to level of hypoxaemia indications to start LTOT is: absolute, for patients with cor pulmonale and in specific situations (during sleep or during exercise). LTOT reduces dyspnoe, improves lung haemodynamic and survival, reduces secondary policitemia, improves exercise tolerance, improves quality of life and neurophysiological patients' reactions, and reduces hospitalizations. The goal of LTOT is to rise SaO2>90% or PaO2>60mmHg, but not elevate PaCO2>10mmHg and reduce pH<7.25. Dose of oxygen is individual. Ordinary is 1-2l/min. Recommended duration of LTOT is 15-19h/day including sleep time. LTOT is safe method of treatment with small risk of hazard.