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The guidance on long-term oxygen therapy (LTOT) for COPD patients with severe hypoxaemia is based on evidence showing that continuous oxygen administration, typically for at least 15 hours per day, can significantly improve survival rates. This therapeutic approach targets patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) who experience more severe forms of oxygen deprivation (hypoxaemia)
Key criteria for considering LTOT in COPD patients include:
| Indicator | Description | Clinical Significance |
|---|---|---|
| FEV1 < 30% Predicted | Forced expiratory volume in one second significantly lower than the norm. | Indicates very severe airflow obstruction, with less than one-third of normal expiratory volume. |
| Cyanosis | Bluish discoloration of the skin and mucous membranes. | Sign of insufficient oxygen in the blood, related to severe hypoxaemia. |
| Polycythaemia | Increased concentration of hemoglobin in the blood. | Compensatory response to chronic hypoxaemia, indicative of the body's effort to increase oxygen carrying capacity. |
| Peripheral Oedema | Swelling, usually in the legs, due to fluid accumulation. | May indicate right heart failure, a possible complication of advanced COPD. |
| Raised Jugular Venous Pressure (JVP) | Increased pressure in the venous system, observable at the neck. | Suggests heart failure, common in severe COPD due to increased pulmonary pressures. |
| Oxygen Saturation ≤ 92% | Blood oxygen level below normal while breathing air.... |
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