Automated O2 titration improves exercise capacity in patients with hypercapnic chronic obstructive pulmonary disease: a randomised controlled cross-over trial.

Automatically titrated O2 flows (FreeO2) was compared with constant O2 flow on exercise capacity, O2 saturation and risk of hyperoxia-related hypercapnia in patients with severe COPD with baseline hypercapnia and long-term oxygen therapy (LTOT). Twelve patients were enrolled in a randomised double-blind cross-over study to perform exercise with either FreeO2 or constant flow. Endurance time (primary outcome) and SpO2 were both significantly improved with FreeO2compared with constant flow (p<0.04), although pCO2 was similar in both conditions. Automated titration of O2 significantly and clinically improved endurance walking time in patients with severe COPD receiving LTOT, without worsening of pCO2 TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER: Results , NCT01575327.