Prescription and usage of long-term oxygen therapy in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease in The Netherlands.

Long-term oxygen therapy (LTOT) has been shown to improve survival in hypoxaemic patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). This has resulted in recommending the prescription of oxygen for at least 15 h day-1 in most European countries. In order to examine the prescription and usage of LTOT and to assess the adherence to international recommendations for its prescription, a survey was set up in a random sample of clients of the largest oxygen company in the Netherlands.

Accuracy of oxygen delivery by liquid oxygen canisters.

The oxygen flow rate delivered by liquid oxygen canisters may be less than intended, owing to inaccuracies of the set flow rates and/or as a result of the outflow resistance caused by the humidifier, oxygen tubing, delivery or conserving device. The aim of this study was to investigate the accuracy of oxygen delivery by liquid oxygen canisters at different flow rates and levels of outflow resistance. Four stationary and 18 portable liquid oxygen canisters from three manufacturers were tested.

Characteristics and complaints of patients prescribed long-term oxygen therapy in The Netherlands.

In patients prescribed long-term oxygen therapy (LTOT), compliance is often poor. Both patient- and treatment-related factors seem to be involved. As a base for improvements in LTOT, the characteristics and complaints of LTOT patients were investigated.

Transtracheal oxygen therapy: an effective and safe alternative to nasal oxygen administration.

Transtracheal oxygen therapy (TTOT) improves the efficiency of oxygen delivery and overcomes the discomfort associated with nasal oxygen delivery in patients on long-term oxygen therapy (LTOT). In addition, TTOT improves compliance and quality of life, and may reduce morbidity. Experience with TTOT in Europe is, however, scarce and the safety of TTOT has not yet been completely determined.

[Favorable results of nocturnal nasal positive-pressure ventilation in 64 patients with neuromuscular disorders; 5-year experience].

Objective: Evaluation of the effectiveness of chronic nightly mechanical ventilation through a nasal mask system in patients with neuromuscular diseases or patients with thorax malformations or COPD.

Setting: Centre for Home Mechanical Ventilation, University Hospital Utrecht.

Design: Retrospective study.