Oxygen Targets in Neonatal Pulmonary Hypertension: Individualized, "Precision-Medicine" Approach

Abstract

Oxygen is a specific pulmonary vasodilator. Hypoxemia causes pulmonary vasoconstriction, and normoxia leads to pulmonary vasodilation. However, hyperoxia does not enhance pulmonary vasodilation but causes oxidative stress. There are no clinical trials evaluating optimal oxygen saturation or Pao₂ in pulmonary hypertension. Data from translational studies and case series suggest that oxygen saturation of 90% to 97% or Pao₂ between 50 and 80 mm Hg is associated with the lowest pulmonary vascular resistance.

Keywords: Alveolar oxygen; Oxygen saturation; Pulmonary vascular resistance; Superoxide anions.