Cardiovascular effects of inhaled oxygen assessed with magnetic resonance imaging

Introduction International practice guidelines prescribe the administration of 10–15 liters/min of O2 to all critically ill patients, including to those who are initially normoxic. However, there are observations to suggest that inhaled supplemental O2 may increase blood pressure and decrease cardiac output (CO) and coronary blood flow (CBF). The aim of this study was to establish the acute cardiovascular effects of oxygen inhalation in healthy subjects, using frontline cardiac magnetic resonance imaging (MRI).