What is liquid oxygen (O2) therapy via intravenous (IV) administration?

From the Guidelines

Liquid oxygen (O2) is a cryogenic liquid form of oxygen that's stored at extremely cold temperatures and is used medically as an alternative to compressed oxygen gas for patients requiring supplemental oxygen therapy. The main advantage of liquid oxygen is its concentration—one liter of liquid oxygen converts to approximately 860 liters of gaseous oxygen, making it more compact for storage than compressed gas cylinders 1. However, liquid oxygen systems continuously vent small amounts of oxygen as the liquid warms and converts to gas, even when not in use. This means the supply will deplete over time regardless of usage. Patients using liquid oxygen systems need proper training on safe handling due to the extremely cold temperature that can cause frostbite upon contact with skin.

Key Considerations for Liquid Oxygen Use

• Liquid oxygen is typically prescribed for patients with chronic respiratory conditions who require continuous oxygen therapy and need a more compact, higher-capacity system, particularly those who are active and need portable oxygen for longer periods outside the home.
• The administration of oxygen therapy, including liquid oxygen, should be guided by clinical practice guidelines, such as those provided by the British Thoracic Society 1, which emphasize the importance of assessing the clinical status of the patient prior to prescribing oxygen and frequently reassessing the patient’s condition during oxygen use.
• In the context of acute hypoxemic respiratory failure, such as in COVID-19 patients, maintaining an SpO2 no higher than 96% is recommended, and the use of high-flow nasal oxygen (HFNO) therapy may be considered over conventional oxygen therapy or non-invasive ventilation (NIV) 1.

Practical Aspects of Oxygen Therapy

• Oxygen delivery systems, including those for liquid oxygen, can be considered in terms of the method of storage and provision of oxygen and the method of delivery to the patient 1.
• The choice of oxygen delivery system depends on the environment in which it is being used and the needs of the patient, highlighting the importance of individualized care plans for patients requiring supplemental oxygen therapy.

From the Research

Liquid/O2 IV Explanation

• Liquid/O2 IV, also known as intravenous oxygen therapy, is not a standard medical practice, and there is limited information available on this topic.
• However, oxygen therapy is a common medical treatment that involves administering oxygen to patients who have low oxygen levels in their blood [ 2 ].
• Oxygen therapy can be administered through various devices, including nasal cannulas, simple face masks, and high-flow oxygen therapy [ 2, 3 ].

Oxygen Delivery Devices

• There are several oxygen delivery devices available, including:
  • Nasal cannulas: used to deliver low to moderate flows of oxygen [ 2 ].
  • Simple face masks: used to deliver higher flows of oxygen [ 2 ].
  • High-flow oxygen therapy: used to deliver high flows of oxygen, often in critically ill patients 3, 4.

Importance of Oxygen Therapy

• Oxygen therapy is essential for maintaining aerobic metabolism and preventing hypoxemia 4.
• However, excessive oxygen administration can lead to hyperoxia, which can cause harm, particularly in patients with certain medical conditions 4.
• A normoxic oxygenation strategy should be employed to avoid hypoxemia and hyperoxia 4.