Surgery
-
Although adequate tissue oxygenation is essential to maintain cellular metabolism, the use of hyperoxia to improve oxygen delivery or to improve metabolic performance is controversial. For example, supplemental inspired oxygen is reportedly beneficial in the treatment of some experimental infections; however, oxygen therapy also has well-documented adverse side effects. To evaluate the effect of increased inspired oxygen concentration (FIO2) in animals with fulminant sepsis, 117 Sprague-Dawley rats underwent cecal ligation and puncture. ⋯ Arterial blood gases documented maintenance of oxygenation and ventilation. Thus, pulmonary oxygen toxicity does not appear to be the mechanism for increased mortality. Supplemental oxygen may worsen, rather than improve, survival after fulminant infection.