Pulmonary Hypertension Without Congenital Heart Disease
➤ For patients with pulmonary hypertension without congenital heart
disease complicated by chronic hypoxemia, the ATS recommends that
home oxygen therapy be prescribed (strong recommendation, very low
quality evidence).
Pulmonary Hypertension With Congenital Heart Disease
➤ For patients with pulmonary hypertension with congenital heart disease
complicated by chronic hypoxemia, supplemental oxygen will impact
hemodynamics and physiology; the ATS recommends that home oxygen
therapy NOT be initiated in these children, regardless of previous
reparative or palliative congenital heart surgery, until there has been
consultation with a pediatric pulmonologist or cardiologist who has
expertise in the management of pulmonary hypertension in this clinical
setting (strong recommendation, very low quality evidence).
Interstitial Lung Disease
➤ For patients with interstitial lung disease complicated by severe
chronic hypoxemia, the ATS recommends that home oxygen therapy be
prescribed (strong recommendation, very low quality evidence).
➤ For patients with interstitial lung disease who have mild chronic
hypoxemia and either dyspnea on exertion or desaturation during sleep
or exertion, the ATS suggests that home oxygen therapy be prescribed
(conditional recommendation, very low quality evidence).
Implementation
➤ The ATS Task Force unanimously agreed that optimal implementation of
the above recommendations consists of all the following:
• Oxygen therapy to maintain an oxygen saturation as measured by pulse oximetry
in an acceptable range according to age and respiratory condition per ATS
recommendations and suggestions.
• Use of oxygen equipment that is of the appropriate size, developmental stage, and
flow rate to function properly.
• Oxygen therapy monitoring by pulse oximetry in the home.
Treatment
