Abstract
Exercise training is an essential component of pulmonary rehabilitation and is associated with improved function and other important outcomes in persons with chronic lung disease. A subset of pulmonary rehabilitation patients experience hypoxemia that may occur or worsen with exercise. For the purpose of this review, severe exercise-induced hypoxemia is defined as an SpO2 of < 89% during exercise, despite use of supplemental oxygen delivered at up to 6 L/min. There is a paucity of evidence and clinical guidelines that address assessment and management of this important manifestation of chronic lung disease. This review presents background of this topic and suggests strategies for assessment, management, and safety measures for patients with severe exercise-induced hypoxemia.
Footnotes
- Correspondence: Chris Garvey FNP MSN MPA, Pulmonary Rehabilitation, Seton Medical Center, 1900 Sullivan Avenue, Daly City CA 94015. E-mail: chrisgarvey{at}dochs.org.
Ms Garvey has disclosed relationships with Boehringer Ingelheim, Pfizer, and Breathe Technologies. Dr Tiep has disclosed relationships with Chad Therapeutics/Inovo, Nonin Medical, Hill Rom, Air Sep, Invacare, and Rotech. Ms Hart has disclosed relationships with GlaxoSmithKline and Monaghan Medical. Dr Casaburi has disclosed relationships with Forest, Novartis, Breathe Technologies, Theratech General, Boehringer-Ingelheim, Medtronics, Respironics, Actelion, Pfizer, Astra Zeneca, and Inogen. The other authors have disclosed no conflicts of interest.
- Copyright © 2012 by Daedalus Enterprises Inc.