Resp Care
-
Multicenter Study
Twenty-four-hour ambulatory oximetry monitoring in COPD patients with moderate hypoxemia.
The relationship of diurnal desaturations (oximetry-measured blood oxygen saturation [S(pO(2))] < 90%) during activities of daily living and clinical aspects in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and moderate hypoxemia has not been systematically evaluated. ⋯ Patients with stable COPD and moderate hypoxemia have frequent and potentially important desaturations during activities of daily living and at night. In addition, there is a big difference in the profile and degree of nocturnal and diurnal desaturations. Twenty-four hours of oximetry provides valuable information for comprehensive evaluation of patients with COPD.