Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jan 12, 2026
Retinal Vascular Reactivity as Assessed by Optical Coherence Tomography Angiography
Published on: March 26, 2020
The effect of hyperoxia on disordered breathing during recovery from general anesthesia: A single-blinded, crossover,
Scott Kutscher1, Eysteinn Finnsson2, Lu Tian3
1Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, and Center for Sleep Sciences and Medicine, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA, United States of America.
Objective:
While supplemental O2 corrects hypoxemia and promotes respiratory stability during sleep, its effect on post-anesthesia ventilation is unknown. Using home sleep apnea testing (HSAT) equipment, we previously found that hyperoxia improved obstructed breathing in post-anesthesia patients by primarily reducing desaturation-based hypopnea events. This trial tested the hypothesis that hyperoxia will improve disordered breathing during recovery from anesthesia, independent of oxygenation-based scoring criteria.
Design:
Single-blinded, non-randomized-controlled, crossover trial.
Setting:
University hospital.
Patients:
10 patients undergoing robotic-assisted laparoscopic nephrectomy.
Measurements:
All patients underwent a HSAT recording during two 40-min-long interventions when inhalation of an O2/air mixture targeted an SpO2 > 96 % (Liberal O2), or an SpO2 90-94 % (Conservative O2). Continuous transcutaneous (TcPCO2) and intermittent arterial (PaCO2) measurements of CO2 were performed. Apnea/hypopnea index (AHIflow) was measured using standard criteria, except hypopneas were defined solely by standard airflow reduction without requiring associated desaturation or arousal. StanpumpR was utilized to simulate analgesic effect of administered opioids, expressed as percentage of minimum effective analgesic concentration (MEAC), which was then used to adjust the comparison between the two interventions.
Main Results:
AHIflow decreased significantly from 36 ± 23 (mean ± Std) events per hour during Conservative O2, to 25 ± 17 in the Liberal O2 session (paired t-test, P = 0.0069 adjusted for the area under the MEAC-time curve). Pairwise comparisons did not show any significant difference in the TcPCO2 or PaCO2 levels between the two treatment sessions, while the percentage of time spent with TcPCO2 > 45 mmHg was also comparable between the two interventions.
Conclusions:
Oxygenation-independent assessment showed that hyperoxia improved disordered breathing immediately following anesthesia, primarily by decreasing the number of hypopneas.
Trial Registration:
ClinicalTrials.gov identifier: NCT05922020.
Related Concept Videos
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...
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...
01:21Acute Respiratory Failure-II
The underlying physiological abnormalities that contribute to hypoxemic respiratory failure include:
01:30Alterations in Respiration II
In Biot's breathing, the respiratory rate and depth are irregular, alternating between periods of deep gasping and apnea. Common causes...
01:23Acute Respiratory Failure-IV
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,...