Deutsche medizinische Wochenschrift
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Pulse oximetry has high sensitivity but low specificity for detecting hypoxemia. Arterial blood gas analyses are the gold standard for monitoring O2 therapy. Venous blood gas analyses should not be used in this setting. ⋯ These patients should always be monitored with arterial blood gases-in the case of peripheral VA-ECMO on the right arm and downstream of the oxygenator. HIGH-FLOW OXYGEN THERAPY FOR ACUTE HYPERCAPNIC RESPIRATORY FAILURE: High-flow oxygen therapy (HFNC) was not associated with reduced in-hospital mortality compared with conventional O2 in a meta-analysis of predominantly patients with acute hypoxemia (type I respiratory failure), although intubation rates were reduced. Also, in acute hypercapnic respiratory failure (type II), HFNC with high flow rates is not inferior to noninvasive ventilation (NIV).