Skip to main content
  • 198 Accesses

Abstract

Intensivists caring for critically ill patients in a surgical intensive care unit continually face multiple diverse and challenging problems. While the specific disease processes in these patients are myriad, the fundamental goal is to provide adequate cellular respiration and thereby maintain sufficient tissue oxygenation and normal organ function. Successful cellular respiration depends on the maintenance of several factors, including adequate alveolar ventilation, a functioning gas-exchange surface, the capacity to transport oxygen to the tissue, and intact tissue respiration (the mitochondrial cytochrome oxidase system). Subsequent chapters in this textbook describe problems with each of these factors and how intensivists should approach and manage them. This chapter focuses on alveolar ventilation and how to use supplemental oxygen therapy to improve arterial oxygenation in patients who are hypoxemic but do not require mechanical ventilation.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this chapter

Chapter
USD 29.95
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
eBook
USD 74.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever

Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout

Purchases are for personal use only

Institutional subscriptions

Preview

Unable to display preview. Download preview PDF.

Unable to display preview. Download preview PDF.

References

  1. Levitzky MG. Pulmonary Physiology, 4th ed. New York: McGraw-Hill, 1995.

    Google Scholar 

  2. Kennedy TC, Knudson RJ. Exercise-aggravated hypoxemia and orthodeoxia in cirrhosis. Chest 1977; 72: 305–9.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  3. West JB. Ventilation/Blood Flow and Gas Exchange, 5th ed. Oxford: Blackwell Scientific, 1990.

    Google Scholar 

  4. West JB. Respiratory Physiology —The Essentials, 4th ed. Baltimore: Williams & Wilkins, 1990.

    Google Scholar 

  5. AARC (American Association for Respiratory Care) clinical practice guideline. Oxygen therapy in the acute care hospital. Respir Care 1991; 36: 1410–13.

    Google Scholar 

  6. Scanlan CL, Heuer A. Medical gas therapy. hi: Scanlan CL, Wilkins RL, Stoller JK, eds. Egan’s Fundamentals of Respiratory Care. 7th ed. St. Louis: Mosby, 1999: 737–70.

    Google Scholar 

  7. Wright RO, Lewander WJ, Woolf AD. Methemoglobinemia: etiology, pharmacology, and clinical management. Ann Emerg Med 1999; 34: 646–56.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  8. Turnbull TL, Hart RG, Strange GR, Cooper MA, Lindblad R, Watkins JM, Ferraro CM. Emergency department screening for unsuspected carbon monoxide exposure. Ann Emerg Med 1988; 17: 478–83.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  9. Barret L, Dane! V, Faure J. Carbon monoxide poisoning, a diagnosis frequently overlooked. J Toxicol Clin Toxicol 1985; 23: 309–13.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  10. Dekich SE, Olsen GN. Techniques for administering oxygen effectively in the ICU. J Crit Illn 1989; 4: 95–103.

    Google Scholar 

  11. Goldstein RS, Young J, Rebuck AS. Effect of breathing pattern on oxygen concentration received from standard face masks. Lancet 1982; 2: 1188–90.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  12. Peruzzi WT, Shapiro BA. Respiratory care. In: Murray MJ, Coursin DB, Pearl RG, Prough DS, eds. Critical Care Medicine: Perioperative Management. Philadelphia: Lippincott-Raven, 1997.

    Google Scholar 

  13. Scacci R. Air entrainment masks: jet mixing is how they work; the Bernoulli and Venturi principles are how they don’t. Respir Care 1979; 24: 928–31.

    Google Scholar 

  14. Irwin RS, French CL, Mike RW. Respiratory adjunct therapy. In: Rippe JM, Irwin RS, Alpert JS, Fink MP (eds). Intensive Care Medicine, 2nd ed. Boston: Little, Brown, 1991.

    Google Scholar 

  15. JE, Castriotta RJ. Heliox therapy in acute severe asthma. Chest 1995; 107: 757–60.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  16. Shiue ST, Gluck EH. The use of helium-oxygen mixtures in support of patients with status asthmaticus and respiratory acidosis. J Asthma 1989; 26: 177–80.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  17. Christopherson SK, Hlastala MP. Pulmonary gas exchange during altered density gas breathing. J Appl Physiol 1982; 52: 221–5.

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  18. Manthous CA, Hall JB, Caputo MA, Walter J, Klocksieben JM, Schmidt GA, Wood LD. Heliox improves pulsus paradoxus and peak expiratory flow in nonintubated patients with severe asthma. Am J Respir Crit Care Med. 1995; 151: 310–14.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  19. Manthous CA, Morgan S, Pohlman A, Hall JB. Heliox in the treatment of airflow obstruction: A critical review of the literature. Respir Care 1997; 42: 1032–42.

    Google Scholar 

  20. Katz JA. PEEP and CPAP in perioperative respiratory care. Respir Care 1984; 29: 614–29.

    Google Scholar 

  21. Branson RD, Hurst JM, DeHaven CB Jr. Mask CPAP: state of the art. Respir Care 1985; 30: 846–57.

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  22. Putensen C, Hormann C, Baum M, Lingnau W. Comparison of mask and nasal continuous positive airway pressure after extubation and mechanical ventilation. Crit Care Med 1993; 21: 357–62.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  23. Bersten AD, Holt AW, Vedig AE, Skowronski GA, Baggoley CJ. Treatment of severe cardiogenic pulmonary edema with continuous positive airway pressure delivered by face mask. N Engl J Med 1991; 325: 1825–30.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  24. Lin M, Yang YF, Chiang HT, Chang MS, Chiang BN, Cheitlin MD. Reappraisal of continuous positive airway pressure therapy in acute cardiogenic pulmonary edema. Short-term results and long-term follow-up. Chest 1995; 107: 1379–86.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  25. Kramer N, Meyer TJ, Meharg J, Cece RD, Hill NS. Randomized, prospective trial of noninvasive positive pressure ventilation in acute respiratory failure. Am J Respir Crit Care Med 1995; 151: 1799–806.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  26. Abou-Shala N, Meduri U. Noninvasive mechanical ventilation in patients with acute respiratory failure. Crit Care Med 1996; 24: 705–15.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  27. Bott J, Carroll MP, Conway HI, Keilty SE, Ward EM, Brown AM, Paul EA, Elliott MW, Godfrey RC, Wedzicha JA, Moxham J. Randomized controlled trial of nasal ventilation in acute ventilatory failure due to chronic obstructive airways disease. Lancet 1993; 341: 1555–57.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  28. Brochard L, Mancebo J, Wysocki M, Lofaso F, Conti G, Rauss A, Simonneau G, Benito S, Gasparetto A, Lemaire F. Noninvasive ventilation for acute exacerbations of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. N Engl J Med 1995; 333: 817–22.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  29. Wysocki M, Tric L, Wolff MA, Millet H, Herman B. Noninvasive pressure support ventilation in patients with acute respiratory failure. A randomized comparison with conventional therapy. Chest 1995; 107: 761–68.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  30. Mehta S, Jay GD, Woolard RH, Hipona RA, Connolly EM, Cimini DM, Drinkwine JH, Hill NS. Randomized, prospective trial of bilevel versus continuous positive airway pressure in acute pulmonary edema. Crit Care Med 1997; 25: 620–28.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  31. Antonelli M, Conti G, Rocco M, Bufi M, DeBlasi RA, Vivino G, Gaasparetto A, Meduri GU. A comparison of noninvasive positive-pressure ventilation and conventional mechanical ventilation in patients with acute respiratory failure. N Engl Med 1998; 339: 429–35.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  32. Nava S, Ambrosino N, Clini E, Prato M, Orlando G, Vitacca M, Brigada P, Fracchia C, Rubini F. Noninvasive mechanical ventilation in the weaning of patients with respiratory failure due to chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. A randomized, controlled trial. Ann Intern Med 1998; 128: 721–28.

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  33. Girault C, Daudenthun I, Chevron V, Tamion F, Leroy J, Bonmarchand G. Noninvasive ventilation as a systematic extubation and weaning technique in acute-on-chronic respiratory failure: a prospective, randomized controlled study. Am J Respir Crit Care Med 1999; 160: 86–92.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  34. Hill NS. Complications of noninvasive positive pressure ventilation. Respir Care 1997; 42: 432–42.

    Google Scholar 

  35. Mellemgaard K. The alveolar-arterial oxygen difference: its size and components in normal man. Acta Physiol Scand 1966; 67: 10–20.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  36. Kanber GJ, King FW, Eshchar YR, Sharp JT. The alveolar-arterial oxygen gradient in young and elderly men during air and oxygen breathing. Am Rev Respir Dis 1968; 97: 376–81.

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  37. Gilbert R, Keighley JF. The arterial-alveolar oxygen tension ratio. An index of gas exchange applicable to varying inspired oxygen concentrations. Am Rev Respir Dis 1974; 109: 142–5.

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  38. Peris LV, Boix JH, Salom JV, Valentin V, Garcia D, Amau A. Clinical use of the arterial/alveolar oxygen tension ratio. Crit Care Med 1983; 11: 888–91.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  39. Severinghaus JW, Astrup PB. History of blood gas analysis. VI. Oximetry. J Clin Monit 1986; 2: 270–88.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  40. Severinghaus JW, Kelleher JF. Recent developments in pulse oximetry. Anesthesiology 1992; 76: 1018–38.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  41. Tremper KK, Barker SJ. Pulse oximetry. Anesthesiology 1989; 70: 98–108.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  42. Kelleher JF. Pulse oximetry. J Clin Monit 1989; 5: 37–62.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  43. LeGrand TS, Peters JI. Pulse oximetry: advantages and pitfalls: the key is knowing what it can - and cannot - tell you. J Respir Dis 1999;20: 195–200, 206.

    Google Scholar 

  44. Ralston AC, Webb RK, Runciman WB. Potential errors in pulse oximetry. I. Pulse oximeter evaluation. Anaesthesia 1991; 46: 202–6.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  45. Campbell EJ. The J. Burns Amberson Lecture. The management of acute respiratory failure in chronic bronchitis and emphysema. Am Rev Respir Dis 1967; 96: 626–39.

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  46. Mithoefer JC, Karetzky MS, Mead GD. Oxygen therapy in respiratory failure. N Engl J Med 1967: 277: 947–9.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  47. Bradley CA, Fleetham JA, Anthonisen NR. Ventilatory control in patients with hypoxemia due to obstructive lung disease. Am Rev Respir Dis 1979; 120: 21–30.

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  48. Fleetham JA, Bradley CA, Kryger MH, Anthonisen NR. The effect of low flow oxygen therapy on the chemical control of ventilation in patients with hypoxemic COPD. Am Rev Respir Dis 1980; 122: 833–40.

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  49. Campbell EJ. Respiratory failure. Definition, mechanisms and recent developments. Bull Eur Physiopathol Respir 1979; 15 (Suppl): 1–13.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  50. Lenfant C. Arterial-alveolar difference in PCO2 during air and oxygen breathing. J Appl Physiol 1966; 21: 1356–62.

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  51. West JB. Causes of carbon dioxide retention in lung disease. N Engl J Med 1971; 284: 1232–36.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  52. Aubier M, Murciano D, Milic-Emili J, Touaty E, Daghfous J, Pariente R, Derenne JP. Effects of the administration of 02 on ventilation and blood gases in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease during acute respiratory failure. Am Rev Respir Dis 1980; 122: 747–54.

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  53. Robinson TD, Freiberg DB, Regnis JA, Young IR. The role of hypoventilation and ventilation-perfusion redistribution in oxygen-induced hypercapnia during acute exacerbations of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. Am J Respir Crit Care Med 2000; 161: 1524–9.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  54. Deneke SM, Fanburg BL. Normobaric oxygen toxicity of the lung. N Engl J Med 1980; 303: 76–86.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  55. Klein J. Normobaric pulmonary oxygen toxicity. Anesth Analg 1990; 70: 195–207.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

Authors

Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

Copyright information

© 2001 Springer Science+Business Media New York

About this chapter

Cite this chapter

Villanueva, A.G. (2001). Oxygen Therapy. In: O’Donnell, J.M., Nácul, F.E. (eds) Surgical Intensive Care Medicine. Springer, Boston, MA. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4757-6645-5_1

Download citation

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4757-6645-5_1

  • Publisher Name: Springer, Boston, MA

  • Print ISBN: 978-1-4757-6647-9

  • Online ISBN: 978-1-4757-6645-5

  • eBook Packages: Springer Book Archive

Publish with us

Policies and ethics