Oxygen toxicity

That hyperoxia induces "a profound modification in the metabolism of tissues" is an old observation. The mechanisms by which the physiologic, pathologic, and biomechanical perturbations caused by oxygen relate to the in vivo manifestations of oxygen toxicity, however, have not been explained fully. This article reviews cellular mechanisms of toxicity, outlines the clinical manifestations of oxygen toxicity, and discusses methods of monitoring and modifying oxygen tolerance.