Effect of ultrasonic nebulization on arterial oxygen saturation in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.

Twenty patients with mild to severe chronic obstructive pulmonary disease received ultrasonic nebulization to assess the danger of short-term changes in blood gas levels during this therapy. The status of arterial oxygenation was monitored during 20 minutes of therapy and for 20 minutes following therapy. In nine patients with periodic studies of arterial blood, the mean change in arterial oxygen pressure from base line was a decrease of 0.8 mm Hg at ten minutes into therapy, 2.8 mm Hg at the conclusion of therapy, and 2.9 mm Hg 20 minutes after therapy. In all 20 patients, ear oximetric studies showed only a small mean change at ten minutes into therapy, at the end of therapy, and at 20 minutes after therapy. Changes in the status of arterial oxygenation during and after therapy with ultrasonic nebulization in a group of patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease are generally small and of no statistical and limited clinical significance; however, alarming falls in arterial oxygenation can occur and cannot be predicted by base-line testing of pulmonary function or studies of arterial blood. It would be prudent to monitor patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease during therapy with ultrasonic nebulization or to withhold therapy altogether.