Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jul 20, 2026

A Swine Model of Neonatal Asphyxia
Published on: October 11, 2011
Is permissive hypoxemia a beneficial strategy for pediatric acute lung injury?
Ira M Cheifetz1, Donna S Hamel
1Pediatric Critical Care Medicine, Pediatric Intensive Care, Duke Children's Hospital, Duke University Medical Center, Box 3046, Durham, NC 27710, USA. Cheif002@mc.duke.edu
Abstract:
The adverse effects of high oxygen levels have been widely reported, and clinicians have struggled for many years to find the ideal balance between inspired oxygen levels and acceptable arterial oxygen saturation. However, when asked "what is an acceptable oxygen saturation," one is hard pressed to find a definitive answer. Permissive hypoxemia is a concept similar to the well-described strategy of permissive hypercapnia. It is a strategy that allows the arterial oxygen saturation to be less than normal in an attempt to minimize the amount of artificial support provided to the lungs by mechanical ventilation. It must be noted that this concept is predominantly based on physiology, as data in the medical literature are very limited. Permissive hypoxemia as an approach to acute lung injury remains controversial in the clinical setting.
Related Concept Videos
Acute Respiratory Failure-II
The underlying physiological abnormalities that contribute to hypoxemic respiratory failure include:
Respiratory Assessment: Purpose and Indications
Objectives and Importance:
The primary goal of respiratory assessment is to evaluate patients at early risk of clinical deterioration. Since respiratory distress often precedes other signs of declining health, breathing patterns and sounds become a...
Acute Respiratory Failure-V
Ensure that patients are monitored continuously for their response to therapy, including changes in...
Treatment for Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension: Oxygen Therapy for Respiratory Failure
Oxygen therapy is vital in increasing and maintaining blood oxygen levels in PAH patients. As a result, it aids in reducing fatigue, improving...
Acute Respiratory Failure-III
Physiological Control of Respiration
Breathing, a seemingly passive process, is regulated by the respiratory center in the brainstem. This center coordinates the involuntary control of respirations, which means it occurs without conscious effort, ensuring a smooth and uninterrupted pattern.
Regulation of Ventilation
The body maintains ventilation by monitoring levels of carbon dioxide (CO2), oxygen (O2), and hydrogen ion concentration (pH) in the arterial blood. Among these factors, the level of CO2 plays a crucial...