What Researchers Did
Researchers conducted a systematic review of 19 studies, including 14 randomised controlled trials and 72,176 participants, to compare lower versus higher oxygenation targets for critically ill patients.
What They Found
The review found conflicting evidence regarding oxygenation targets for ICU patients, with some studies supporting conservative oxygen therapy and others reporting no significant difference. Overall, nine of the included studies concluded that lower oxygen targets were favorable for critically ill patients.
Canadian Relevance
This systematic review did not include any studies specifically focused on Canadian patients or healthcare settings.
Study Limitations
A key limitation is the conflicting and inconsistent evidence across the included studies, particularly for ICU patients, which prevents definitive conclusions.