Rational supplemental oxygen therapy in COVID-19

Abstract

Background: Hypoxemia often occurs in Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) patients. This condition requires adequate oxygen therapy to achieve oxygen saturation target. Objective: This review aims to explain the rational oxygen therapy in COVID-19. Materials and Methods: A literature search for studies on COVID-19 was performed using PubMed and Science Direct database. About 46 articles were identified. Twenty-five articles were considered suitable for review. The bibliographies of included studies were also searched for additional references. Results: Oxygen therapy involves conventional devices such as nasal cannulas, simple masks, reservoir masks, and venturi to advanced devices such as high-flow nasal cannulas. Initial therapy is given based on holistic assessment of the patient, followed by close monitoring. In emergency situations, airway management is required, and resuscitation is carried out with a saturation target of ≥94% while in stable patients, the SpO2 target is >90% in nonpregnant and ≥92%–95% in pregnant patients. Oxygen escalation might be needed during therapy without delaying intubation. Besides its intricate management algorithm, the rational management of oxygen therapy in COVID-19 also requires caution on the issue of each aerosol-generating device and transmission risk, especially for health-care workers. Conclusions: Rational management of oxygen therapy includes the provision of initial therapy, followed by proper monitoring and escalation without delaying intubation and also the considerations of the health-care workers' protection and the risk of transmission.