Does automated oxygen control with O2matic reduce frequency and duration of hypoxemic episodes in patients admitted with exacerbation of COPD? – a randomized controlled trial

Background: It has been shown that automated oxygen control by a closed-loop system, O2matic, is significantly better than manual control in keeping patient’s saturation within target range and avoiding hypoxemia (Hansen EF et al. Int J Chron Obstruct Pulmon Dis. 2018;13:3997-4003). However, the frequency and duration of hypoxemic episodes has not previously been reported. Aims and Objectives: To investigate if frequency, duration and severity of hypoxemic episodes are reduced by automated oxygen control versus manual control. Method: We conducted at 4 hours crossover trial. Patients admitted with exacerbation of COPD and SpO2 on room air (n=20) received in random order oxygen controlled by O2matic and manually controlled oxygen. In both arms patients were monitored with continuous measurement of SpO2 . Primary outcomes were frequency and duration of hypoxemic episodes (SpO2 Results: The study shows that frequency of episodes with SpO2 Conclusion: Automated oxygen control with O2matic, in patients admitted with exacerbation of COPD, reduces frequency and duration of hypoxemic episodes significantly when compared to standard manually controlled oxygen treatment.