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Published on: February 17, 2018
Ambulatory oxygen in chronic heart failure
L J Restrick1, S W Davies, L Noone
1Department of Thoracic Medicine, London Chest Hospital, UK.
Lancet (London, England)
|November 14, 1992
Summary
Ambulatory oxygen therapy did not improve walking distance or reduce breathlessness in patients with chronic heart failure. Current oxygen cylinders are not recommended for these patients during exercise.
Area of Science:
- Cardiology
- Pulmonary Medicine
- Exercise Physiology
Background:
- Chronic heart failure (CHF) is associated with exercise intolerance.
- Ambulatory oxygen therapy is sometimes used during exercise, but its efficacy in CHF patients during walking is not well-established.
- Oxygen saturation (SaO2) often declines during exercise in individuals with CHF.
Purpose of the Study:
- To assess the effects of ambulatory oxygen therapy on exercise performance and gas exchange during walking tests in patients with chronic heart failure.
- To determine if supplemental oxygen improves SaO2, walking distance, or perceived breathlessness during submaximal and endurance walks.
Main Methods:
- 12 patients with chronic heart failure performed 6-minute walk tests and endurance walks.
- Measurements included arterial oxygen saturation (SaO2) at rest and during exercise, walking distance, and breathlessness.
- Tests were conducted breathing ambient air and with supplemental oxygen (2 L/min and 4 L/min) delivered via portable cylinders.
Main Results:
- During 6-minute walks, SaO2 fell significantly from rest (94.4%) to exercise (90.1%) when breathing air.
- Supplemental oxygen at 2 L/min increased resting SaO2 (93.7% to 96.5%) but did not affect exercise SaO2, distance, or breathlessness.
- During endurance walks, 4 L/min oxygen increased minimum SaO2 (90.4% to 93.5%) but did not improve breathlessness or distance.
Conclusions:
- Ambulatory oxygen therapy, using currently available portable cylinders, does not improve exercise capacity or reduce breathlessness in patients with chronic heart failure during walking.
- The findings do not support the routine use of ambulatory oxygen for patients with CHF during exercise tests.
- Further research may be needed to explore optimal oxygen delivery methods or patient selection for ambulatory oxygen therapy in CHF.
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