[4-year experience of the Warsaw Center for Home Oxygen Therapy]

Long-term oxygen therapy (LTOT) became a routine in the treatment of severe respiratory failure and cor pulmonale. Four years experience of the LTOT in Warsaw is presented. From 237 patients referred 172 were qualified for treatment. Majority--130 (76%) suffered from COPD. The rest of the group presented with pulmonary fibrosis, tb sequelae, bronchiectasis, kyphoscoliosis or chronic pulmonary thromboembolic disease. The mean oxygen breathing time averaged 14.5 H/day. Seventy two patients that is 42% of treated group died. The most frequent (63%) cause of death was respiratory failure. No adverse effects of LTOT were observed.