[Ambulatory long-term oxygen therapy].

Administration of oxygen is an accepted component of the treatment of acute diseases leading to temporary arterial hypoxemia. In addition, long-term oxygen therapy of patients with chronic hypoxemia secondary to chronic obstructive lung disease (COPD) has become increasingly common, after beneficial effects on quality of life and survival have been reported. This form of treatment, however, is costly, rather complex and demanding. Therefore, strict criteria have to be considered in the selection of hypoxemic patients with COPD. This article reviews the tests and criteria required for the prescription of long-term oxygen therapy as well as newer technical aspects in its application with special emphasis on transtracheal catheters.