[The indication and practice of home oxygen therapy]

COPD(Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease) is a cause of chronic respiratory failure which leads to pulmonary hypertension and cor pulmonale. Not only chronic hypoxia but also low QOL(quality of life) due to dyspnea are shown to affect survival of COPD patients. HOT(Home Oxygen Therapy) is one of the most successful home therapy in Japan after the availability of health insurance in 1985. HOT is the only therapy to prolong life expectancy of COPD patients with chronic respiratory failure. The induction of HOT needs a consideration of risk of narcosis and evaluations of oxygen desaturation during exercise and sleep as well as hypoxia at rest. Higher QOL of HOT patients might require an alteration of prescription guidelines of HOT.