Comparison of supplemental oxygen delivery by continuous versus demand based flow systems in hypoxemic COPD patients - A randomized, single-blinded cross-over study

摘要

Background: Supplemental oxygen is a recommended therapy option in stable hypoxemic COPD patients. Often, supplemental oxygen is provided by continuous flow (CF). However, demand oxygen delivery systems (DODS) that provide an oxygen bolus only during inspiration have gained increasing use as they prolong oxygen cylinder life (beside battery life). However, there is a lack of evidence if different DODS and CF devices are equivalent.