Oxygen Therapy in Respiratory Failure

BTS guideline for emergency oxygen use in adult patients

“…In cases of prior hypercapnic failure who do not have an oxygen alert card, it is recommended that prehospital treatment should be commenced using a 28% Venturi mask at 4 l/min or a 24% Venturi mask in hospitals with a target saturation of 88–92%. Observational studies in the 1960s suggested that a Pa o 2 of 50 mm Hg or 6.7 kPa (saturation about 84%) will prevent death from hypoxaemia in acute COPD exacerbations 242 243. If the saturation should fall below 88% despite treatment with a 24% or 28% Venturi mask, the patient should be treated with nasal cannulae or a simple face mask with the flow adjusted to maintain a saturation of 88–92% pending the availability of blood gas results.…”

Emergency oxygen therapy for the COPD patient

“…5 The first was a group of normal patients. The second and third groups were patients with COPD and hypercapnic respiratory failure who were stable and hospitalised respectively.…”

BTS guideline for oxygen use in adults in healthcare and emergency settings

“…In cases of prior hypercapnic failure who do not have an oxygen alert card, it is recommended that prehospital treatment should be started using a 28% Venturi mask at 4 L/min or a 24% Venturi mask in hospitals (and prehospital if available) with a target saturation of 88–92%. Observational studies in the 1960s suggested that a PaO 2 of 50 mm Hg or 6.7 kPa (saturation about 84%) will prevent death from hypoxaemia in acute COPD exacerbations 290 291. If the saturation should fall below 88% despite treatment with a 24% or 28% Venturi mask, the patient should be treated with nasal cannulae or a simple face mask with the flow adjusted to maintain a saturation of 88–92% pending the availability of blood gas results.…”