Pulmonary Hypertension: Beyond the Swan Ganz Catheter

Oxygen• Hypoxia strong stimulus for vasoconstriction• Hypoxemia from decreased CO• 2 studies (early 1980’s)– reduction in 5 year mortality with 15h/d supplemental oxygen ascompared to none (46% vs. 67%)– Reduction in 3 year mortality when 02 used for 19 hours/day ascompared to 12 hours (22% vs. 42%)– NNT: 5– Even if no improvement in hemodynamics• Will not help patients with R‐> L shunts• Recommended for patients with Pa02 < 55 mmHg or sats