Resp Care
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Randomized Controlled Trial Comparative Study
Nocturnal oxygenation using a pulsed-dose oxygen-conserving device compared to continuous flow.
The pulsed-dose oxygen-conserving device (PDOCD) has gained wide acceptance as a tool to reduce the cost and inconvenience of portable oxygen delivery. Despite the widespread use of PDOCDs in awake and ambulating patients, few studies report their use during sleep. This study was designed to compare heart rate and oxygen saturation (measured via pulse oximetry [S(pO2)]) of sleeping patients using one brand of PDOCD versus continuous-flow oxygen. ⋯ The PDOCD model we studied was able to deliver oxygen therapy (via nasal cannula) comparable to continuous-flow in 9 of 10 patients. The resting daytime S(pO2) on continuous-flow appears to be an appropriate target for setting the PDOCD to ensure adequate oxygenation, even during sleep, with the PDOCD we tested. We conclude that the PDOCD we tested is able to maintain adequate S(pO2) during sleep in selected patients. Because of differences in design, triggering-signal sensitivity, and oxygen-pulse volume, these results cannot be generalized to all patients or all oxygen-conserving devices. Further research is needed to determine the general performance of PDOCDs on larger populations of oxygen-dependent patients and patients with sleep-disordered breathing.