Effect of nasogastric feedings on arterial oxygen tension in patients with symptomatic chronic obstructive pulmonary disease

Meal-induced hypoxemia may occur in asymptomatic patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). The need to address the nutritional requirements in symptomatic COPD patients has recently been reported. Accordingly, we studied the effect of nasogastric feedings on arterial oxygen tension in patients receiving nasogastric feedings. Eleven patients studied had heterogeneous symptomatic COPD with various requirements for either bronchodilators, oxygen, or ventilator support. Samples for arterial blood gas (ABG) determinations were drawn (first ABG value) at the time of interrupting continuous feedings (75 ml/hr) or just before a small bolus feeding (75 ml). A repeat ABG sample (second ABG value) was drawn 30 minutes later. There was a small but statistically significant difference between the first and second arterial oxygen tension values. This difference, however, was not clinically significant. Our preliminary results suggest that symptomatic COPD patients experience hypoxemia with nasogastric feedings.