Spirometric Predictors for the Exclusion of Severe Hypoxemia in Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Controversy has existed over the need for routine arterial blood gas (ABG) analysis in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Some authors recommend it in all patients with COPD, but others find it unnecessary if the forced expiratory volume in 1 s (FEV1) is 50% of predicted or greater.