Targeting different oxygen saturation goals for mechanically ventilated patients does not impact clinical outcomes

Référence

Semler MW, Casey JD, Lloyd BD, et al, for the PILOT Investigators and the Pragmatic Critical Care Research Group. Oxygen-saturation targets for critically ill adults receiving mechanical ventilation. N Engl J Med 2022;387(19):1759-1769.

Sommaire

The optimal oxygenation target for critically ill patients is unknown. In this trial, conducted in a single academic center, all patients receiving mechanical ventilation in the emergency department and medical intensive care unit were assigned together to an oxygenation target, either lower (target 90%; range 88%-92%), intermediate (target 94%; range 92%-96%), or higher (target 98%; range 96%-100%). Every 2 months, the target was changed according to a randomly generated sequence, for a total of 36 months and 18 trial periods. Respiratory therapists adjusted the fraction of inspired oxygen to achieve the target oxygen saturation (SpO2) as assessed by continuous pulse oximetry. A total of 2541 patients were analyzed. The study groups had similar baseline characteristics. The median SpO2 values in the 3 groups were 94% in the lower group, 95% in the intermediate group, and 97% in the higher group. For the primary outcome of ventilator-free days through day 28, there was no significant difference detected among the 3 groups. The incidences of death and adverse events at 28 days were also similar. Of note, the median SpO2 value for the lower group actually fell in the range of the intermediate group; therefore, it is possible that sticking to a true lower oxygenation target may impact outcomes, but this study does not answer that question.