Accuracy of Pulse Oximetry for Long-Term Oxygen Therapy Assessment in COPD.

SpO2 as the only measure of oxygenation carries a high FN rate in detecting severe resting hypoxemia in patients with COPD undergoing evaluation for LTOT. Reflex measurement of PaO2 by ABG should be used as recommended by GOLD, ideally at a cutoff higher than SpO2 ≤ 92% especially in active smokers.