Late Breaking Abstract - Automated oxygen administration vs manual oxygen therapy after major abdominal or thoracic surgery. An international multicenter randomized controlled study

Background: Hypoxemia and hyperoxia may occur after surgery with related complications. Automated oxygen titration and weaning (FreeO2) may improve oxygenation and outcome. Aims and Objectives: To evaluate the impact of FreeO2 vs conventional O2 after surgeries at risk of desaturation, on the oxygenation parameters and patient’s outcome. Methods: This study is a prospective, multicenter, randomized, controlled, open trial. After thoracic or abdominal surgery, patients were randomly assigned to the manual O2 administration or automated O2 administration (FreeO2). Primary outcome was the percentage of time spent in the SpO2 target zone, during a 3-days time frame. Secondary outcomes were the nursing workload, the time spent with severe desaturation (SpO2 98%); the O2 consumption, the duration of O2 administration during hospitalization, the frequency of use of ventilation (invasive or noninvasive) the hospitalization length of stay and the survival rate. Results: 200 patients were enrolled and 180 randomized and analyzed. There was no significant difference in baseline characteristics. Oxygenation and primary outcome are presented in the table: Conclusion: Automated oxygen titration and weaning significantly improves oxygenation parameters, decrease both severe hypoxemia and severe hyperoxemia after major horacic or abdominal surgery.