Oxygen Targets in Neonatal Pulmonary Hypertension

Oxygen is a specific pulmonary vasodilator. Hypoxemia causes pulmonary vasoconstriction, and normoxia leads to pulmonary vasodilation. However, hyperoxia does not enhance pulmonary vasodilation but causes oxidative stress. There are no clinical trials evaluating optimal oxygen saturation or Pa o 2 in pulmonary hypertension. Data from translational studies and case series suggest that oxygen saturation of 90% to 97% or Pa o 2 between 50 and 80 mm Hg is associated with the lowest pulmonary vascular resistance.