Early effects of oxygen administration and prognosis in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and cor pulmonale.

The purpose of this study was to develop criteria for predicting survival and clinical improvement with long-term domiciliary home oxygen therapy (LTDO2) in patients with both chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and cor pulmonale (CP). Twenty-eight such patients were divided into 2 groups, responders (R) and nonresponders (NR), on the basis of the fall in their mean pulmonary artery pressure (delta PAP) while breathing 28% O2 for 24 h. The R(n = 17) and NR (n = 11) had delta PAP greater than and lesser than 5 mmHg, respectively. Eighty-eight percent of the R, but only 22% of the NR, were alive at the end of 2 yr of LTDO2. Eighty-five percent of R, but only 11% of NR, achieved an end-exercise maximal oxygen consumption (max VO2) greater than 6.5 ml min-1 kg-1. Left ventricular ejection fraction improved while breathing O2 for 48 h in the R only. The NR and R were similar in all other respects. We conclude that delta PAP greater than 5 mmHg and/or max VO2 6.5 ml min-1 kg-1 or greater predict 2-yr survival with LTDO2 in patients with COPD and CP, and it can be useful in planning their management.