Automated oxygen titration and weaning with FreeO2 in patients with acute exacerbation of COPD: a pilot randomized trial.
BACKGROUND
We developed a device (FreeO2) that automatically adjusts the oxygen flow rates based on patients' needs, in order to limit hyperoxia and hypoxemia and to automatically wean them from oxygen.


OBJECTIVE
The aim of this study was to evaluate the feasibility of using FreeO2 in patients hospitalized in the respiratory ward for an acute exacerbation of COPD.


METHODS
We conducted a randomized controlled trial comparing FreeO2 vs manual oxygen titration in the respiratory ward of a university hospital. We measured the perception of appropriateness of oxygen titration and monitoring in both groups by nurses and attending physicians using a Likert scale. We evaluated the time in the target range of oxygen saturation (SpO2) as defined for each patient by the attending physician, the time with severe desaturation (SpO2 <85%), and the time with hyperoxia (SpO2 >5% above the target). We also recorded length of stay, intensive care unit admissions, and readmission rate. Fifty patients were randomized (25 patients in both groups; mean age: 72±8 years; mean forced expiratory volume in 1 second: 1.00±0.49 L; and mean initial O2 flow 2.0±1.0 L/min).


RESULTS
Nurses and attending physicians felt that oxygen titration and monitoring were equally appropriate with both O2 administration systems. The percentage of time within the SpO2 target was significantly higher with FreeO2, and the time with severe desaturation and hyperoxia was significantly reduced with FreeO2. Time from study inclusion to hospital discharge was 5.8±4.4 days with FreeO2 and 8.4±6.0 days with usual oxygen administration (P=0.051).


CONCLUSIONS
FreeO2 was deemed as an appropriate oxygen administration system by nurses and physicians of a respiratory unit. This system maintained SpO2 at the target level better than did manual titration and reduced periods of desaturation and hyperoxia. Our results also suggest that FreeO2 has the potential to reduce the hospital length of stay.
Research Centre.
François
F
Lellouche
Research Centre.
Pierre-Alexandre
PA
Bouchard
Research Centre.
Maude
M
Roberge
Research Centre; Biostatistics Department, Quebec Heart and Lung Institute, Laval University.
Serge
S
Simard
Research Centre; Emergency Medicine, Hôtel-Dieu de Lévis, Laval University, Quebec City, QC, Canada.
Erwan
E
L'Her
Research Centre.
François
F
Maltais
Research Centre.
Yves
Y
Lacasse
D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001291:Attitude of Health Personnel; D015415:Biomarkers / Q000097:blood; D004867:Equipment Design; D005240:Feasibility Studies; D005260:Female; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006760:Hospitalization; D006785:Hospitals, University; D006801:Humans; D018496:Hyperoxia / Q000209:etiology / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000517:prevention & control; D000860:Hypoxia / Q000209:etiology / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000517:prevention & control; D008168:Lung / Q000503:physiopathology*; D008297:Male; D008505:Medical Staff, Hospital; D008875:Middle Aged; D009741:Nursing Staff, Hospital; D010100:Oxygen / Q000097:blood*; D010102:Oxygen Inhalation Therapy / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000295:instrumentation* / Q000379:methods; D010865:Pilot Projects; D029424:Pulmonary Disease, Chronic Obstructive / Q000097:blood / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000628:therapy*; D011792:Quebec; D013997:Time Factors; D016896:Treatment Outcome
D015415:Biomarkers; D010100:Oxygen
closed-loop; hyperoxia; hypoxia; oxygen inhalation therapy; technological innovations