Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jun 16, 2026
Systems Analysis of the Neuroinflammatory and Hemodynamic Response to Traumatic Brain Injury
Published on: May 27, 2022
Supplemental oxygen for traumatic brain injury: A systematic review
Thea Ellehammer Hansen1, Rasmus Ejlersgaard Christensen1, Josefine Baekgaard1
1Department of Anaesthesia, Centre of Head and Orthopaedics, Rigshospitalet, Denmark.
Background:
Oxygen supplementation is recommended after traumatic brain injury (TBI) but excessive oxygen may be harmful. The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of supplemental oxygen or high/low inspiratory oxygen fraction (FiO2 ) for TBI patients on in-hospital mortality.
Methods:
We searched Medline (Pubmed), EMBASE and the Cochrane Library for interventional and observational studies fulfilling the following criteria: TBI patients >17 years (population); initial use of supplemental oxygen/high (≥0.6) FiO2 (intervention) vs no supplemental oxygen/low (<0.6) FiO2 (control) for spontaneously breathing or mechanically ventilated TBI patients, respectively with in-hospital mortality as primary outcome. Secondary outcomes were 30-day and 1-year mortality, length of stay in hospital or intensive care unit, days on mechanical ventilation, complications, and neurological impairment.
Results:
We screened 4846 citations. Two interventional studies comparing high vs low FiO2 for mechanically ventilated TBI patients were included. No difference in in-hospital mortality was found. The first study found a statistically significant shorter length of stay in the intensive care unit for the high FiO2 -group (6.5 [4.6-11.4] vs. 11.4 [5.8-17.2] days, p = 0.02). The second study found a lower disability at 6 months in the high FiO2 -group with low disability in 25 (73.5%) vs. 15 (44.1%), moderate disability in 9 (26.5%) vs. 16 (47.1%), and severe disability in 0 (0.0%) vs. 3 (8.8%), p = 0.02.
Conclusion:
Evidence on the effect of initial use of high/low FiO2 for TBI patients on in-hospital mortality was extremely limited. Evidence on the use of supplemental oxygen for spontaneously breathing TBI patients is lacking.
Related Concept Videos
01:28Traumatic Brain Injury l: Introduction
01:22Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation II: ACLS Airway Management
01:16Treatment 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...
01:16Oxygen Delivering System II: Venturi Mask and Transtracheal Oxygen
Venturi Mask
The Venturi mask, named after the Venturi effect, is designed to deliver precise oxygen concentrations. It consists of a large tube with an oxygen inlet that narrows down, causing a pressure drop that pulls air in through adjustable side ports. The mask is a lightweight,...
01:23Physiological 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...
01:19Respiratory 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...