Effect of pulmonary hygiene measures on levels of arterial oxygen saturation in adults with chronic lung disease.

The purpose of this study was to determine whether adult patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) can safely perform pulmonary hygiene measures without compromising their arterial oxygen saturation (SaO2) levels (less than 80 per cent). In 15 male veterans with moderate-to-severe COPD an ear oximeter was used to measure SaO2 levels while subjects completed a series of percussion, deep breathing, and coughing maneuvers in the head-down position (50 degree angle). No clinically significant changes in SaO2 levels were found in 14 subjects during pulmonary hygiene measures, but potentially dangerous symptoms were noted in two subjects. Our study supports the monitoring of objective and subjective symptoms during pulmonary hygiene and discontinuance of the procedure if tachycardia, palpitations, dyspnea, chest pain, or other distressful symptoms occur that might indicate hypoxemia.