Table 1.
—Current Indications for Continuous Oxygen Use in COPD
| Based on Randomized Controlled Clinical Trials3,4 | Based on Less Evidencea |
| Continuous oxygen use | Intermittent oxygen use |
| Resting Pao2 ≤ 55 mm Hg | Desaturation (Spo2 ≤ 88%) with activity |
| Resting Pao2 of 56-59 mm Hg with any one of the following: | Desaturation (Spo2 ≤ 88%) at night |
| Dependent edema | |
| P pulmonale on the electrocardiogram (P wave exceeding 3 mm in standard lead II, III, or aVF) | |
| Polycythemia (hematocrit, > 56%) |
Spo2 = oxygen saturation by pulse oximetry.
a
Reimbursed by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services.