The effect of high concentration oxygen therapy on PaCO(2) in acute and chronic respiratory disorders

There is evidence that the potential for high concentration oxygen therapy to increase PaCO(2) is not limited to stable and acute exacerbations of COPD, but also to other acute respiratory disorders with abnormal gas exchange such as asthma and pneumonia, and chronic respiratory conditions with hypercapnia such as obesity hypoventilation syndrome. This evidence forms the basis of consensus guidelines which recommend that oxygen therapy is titrated in COPD and other respiratory conditions, to ensure the maximal benefits of oxygen therapy are achieved while reducing the potential for harm due to hyperoxia. ELECTRONIC SUPPLEMENTARY MATERIAL: The online version of this article (doi:10.1186/2213-0802-1-8) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.