Synopsis

Source of validity: Traditional
Rating (out of 5): 2

Oxygen therapy has traditionally been used in the management of angina pectoris, particularly in acute settings. The rationale was based on the idea that supplemental oxygen would increase the amount of oxygen available to ischemic heart tissue during episodes of reduced blood flow, potentially reducing myocardial injury and relieving symptoms. This practice became ingrained in medical protocols before robust clinical trials were performed to determine its actual efficacy in angina patients who are not hypoxemic.

However, scientific evidence supporting the routine use of oxygen in non-hypoxemic angina patients is limited. More recent studies and guidelines, including those from the American Heart Association and European Society of Cardiology, recommend oxygen supplementation only in patients with evidence of hypoxemia (low blood oxygen saturation, typically <90-92%) or respiratory distress. Some randomized controlled trials have suggested that unnecessary oxygen administration may even be associated with increased oxidative stress and potentially worse outcomes due to vasoconstriction and reduced coronary blood flow.

In summary, the use of oxygen for angina is primarily rooted in tradition rather than robust scientific evidence for normoxic patients. It remains indicated in cases of hypoxemia, but routine administration to all angina patients is no longer recommended. The overall evidence supporting its use in normoxic angina is weak.

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