Lower or Higher Oxygenation Targets in the ICU

link.springer.com July 24, 2024

This study reported no overall differences comparing a PaO2 target of 8–12 kPa on mortality or days alive without life support in 90 days. Subgroup analyses suggested heterogeneity of treatment effects (HTE) in patients with COVID-19 (moderate credibility) and cancer (low credibility).

At 90 days, mortality was 40.4% (724/1792) in the 8 kPa group and 40.9% (733/1793) in the 12 kPa group (risk ratio, 0.99; 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.92–1.07; P = 0.80).

No difference was observed in number of days alive without life support.

Subgroup analyses indicated more days alive without life support in COVID-19 patients targeting 8 kPa (P = 0.04) (moderate credibility), and lower mortality (P = 0.03) and more days alive without life support (P = 0.02) in cancer-patients targeting 12 kPa (low credibility).