Oxygen therapy for critically Ill and post-operative patients

Area of Science:

• Critical Care Medicine
• Anesthesiology
• Respiratory Physiology

Background:

• Supplemental oxygen is nearly universal in peri-operative and intensive care settings.
• Oxygen dosing may impact patient outcomes, with differing research focuses in peri-operative (higher oxygen) versus intensive care (conservative oxygen).

Purpose of the Study:

• To review the optimal oxygen regimen in peri-operative and intensive care settings.
• To evaluate the evidence for conservative versus higher oxygen strategies in different patient populations.

Main Methods:

• Review of existing peri-operative and intensive care research on oxygen therapy.
• Analysis of data regarding patient outcomes associated with varying oxygen levels.

Main Results:

• Conservative oxygen therapy is preferred for spontaneously breathing patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and potentially for hypoxic ischemic encephalopathy.
• Current data do not necessitate routine aggressive down-titration of oxygen in peri-operative or intensive care, barring supply constraints.

Conclusions:

• Higher oxygen targets may potentially reduce surgical site infections or improve sepsis outcomes, but require further investigation.
• Available evidence is insufficient to routinely implement higher oxygen strategies in peri-operative or intensive care settings.