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Study objective: We conducted the first randomized controlled study to assess the effects of short-term 28% and 100% oxygen on PaCO2 and peak expiratory flow rate (PEFR) in patients with acute severe asthma.

Patients and interventions: Seventy-four patients (mean age, 37.9 /- 9.7 years [ /- SD]; PEFR, 41.0 /- 12.1% of predicted) from two emergency departments were randomized to receive 28% or 100% oxygen during 20 min.

Results: The administration of 100% oxygen significantly increases PaCO2 (p = 0.03) and decreases PEFR (p = 0.001) as compared with administration of 28% oxygen. PaCO2 before and during oxygen administration correlated significantly (p = 0.001) in both groups. Patients breathing 28% oxygen experienced a PaCO2 fall; on the contrary, patients who received 100% oxygen showed an increase in PaCO2, particularly those with PaCO2 before oxygen treatment > 40 mm Hg.

Conclusions: This study confirmed previous observations that oxygen dose should be variable and based on achieving and maintaining target arterial oxygen saturation measured by pulse oximetry >= 92% rather than on prescribing predetermined concentrations or flow rates of inspired oxygen.

Copyright (C) 2003 by the American College of Chest Physicians