Sign-in to Ask A Doctor - 24x7
OR
Sign in with GoogleGet your health question answered instantly from our pool of 18000+ doctors from over 80 specialties
By proceeding further you accept the Terms and Conditions
What Causes Oxygen Level Depletion In A COPD Patient?
On May 10th a 76 yr old man with COPD and had been on oxygen of 2 liters, went into hospital with pneumonia and swollen calves and feet ( he had his first visit with pulmonologist and he ordered him to the hospital immediately). He was started on 5 liters of oxygen to get oximeter to be in 90 s, now after lasic, restricted fluids, no salt and a surgery on Friday to get the stuff out of his lungs. He is now on 9 liters of oxygen. The oxygen is going up and up (it was 7 yesterday).The surgery was last Friday. We doing know what is going on. We have been told not to worry but this man has been going down hill for over 10 months (losing weight and strength etc but was being treated by GP). Can you give us any indication about this
Tue, 18 Sep 2018
Hi,
Based on his swelling and treatment with Lasix, it sounds like he also has congestive heart failure, in addition to COPD and pneumonia. The surgery sounds like it would have been a thoracentesis to remove some of the fluid from around his lung. If he is now needing 9 liters of oxygen, I would consider this patient to be in serious condition, and possibly needing intubation soon, meaning they may need to put a tube down his windpipe and let a machine help him to breath. However, with his multiple medical problems, if intubated it is hard to know if he would recover.
I'm sorry to have to tell you all this, but this is my honest opinion. I would ask his doctors what their honest evaluation is, and especially to discuss whether he wants to be intubated or not if the need should arise.
Hope I have answered your query. Let me know if I can assist you further.
Regards,
Dr. Aaron Branch,
General & Family Physician
Based on his swelling and treatment with Lasix, it sounds like he also has congestive heart failure, in addition to COPD and pneumonia. The surgery sounds like it would have been a thoracentesis to remove some of the fluid from around his lung. If he is now needing 9 liters of oxygen, I would consider this patient to be in serious condition, and possibly needing intubation soon, meaning they may need to put a tube down his windpipe and let a machine help him to breath. However, with his multiple medical problems, if intubated it is hard to know if he would recover.
I'm sorry to have to tell you all this, but this is my honest opinion. I would ask his doctors what their honest evaluation is, and especially to discuss whether he wants to be intubated or not if the need should arise.
Hope I have answered your query. Let me know if I can assist you further.
Regards,
Dr. Aaron Branch,
General & Family Physician
I find this answer helpful
Disclaimer: These answers are for your information only and not intended to replace your relationship with your treating physician.
This is a short, free answer.
For a more detailed, immediate answer, try our premium service
[Sample answer]
Related questions you may be interested in
Loading Online Doctors....