Effects of an Oxymizer on Endurance Time in Patients With Chronic Lung Diseases

Effects of an Oxymizer Versus Conventional Nasal Cannula on Endurance Time in Patients With Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease IV (COPD) or Interstitial Lung Disease (ILD)

The Oxymizer pendant® is a special oxygen cannula that can be used to supply high flow long term oxygen therapy. It is compatible with a wide variety of oxygen sources. In a reservoir, the Oxymizer® stores pure oxygen so that the concentration of inhaled oxygen is increased.

The aim of this study is to investigate the potential benefit of the Oxymizer® with regard to the blood oxygenation during exercise testing. Given that the "endurance time" is very sensitive for little changes in exercise capacity, this test will be used to show the difference between the Oxymizer® and a conventional nasal cannula regarding exercise duration at 70% of peak Watt and oxygenation.

The tests will be accompanied by blood gas analysis, partial pressure of carbon dioxide and heart rate.

Inclusion Criteria:

• COPD IV
• interstitial lung disease
• long-term oxygen therapy with oxygen flow rate >= 2 L/min

Exclusion Criteria:

• acute cardial decompensation
• usual kontraindication for exposure test (higher-grad Hypertension (arterial and pulmonal), cardiac valve vitien, instabile angina pectoris, cardiac arrhythmia)