Oxygen in critical care

SummaryOxygen is widely used in critical care, yet there is surprisingly little evidence guiding its use. Most major guidelines recommending the use of oxygen therapy have yet to recommend titration to achieve normoxemia. As a consequence, a significant portion of critically ill patients are subjected to hyperoxia. Interest in ideal oxygen therapy is gathering pace and research is beginning to challenge previous presumptions that oxygen therapy is innocuous with increasing reports of potential harm. This review will summarize notable aspects of oxygen therapy, recent developments in the use of normobaric oxygen supplementation and issues regarding hyperoxia in critical care.