Using oxygen as diuretic

[daisy2daisy]

Has anyone else heard of using 4L NC on abdominal surgical pts to improve urine output? The pts sats could be 100% RA but the standing order is to keep them on 4L.

[littleneoRN]

Would this be to use the vasoconstriction effect to promote strong blood pressure and thus renal perfusion? I haven't heard of this, but I'm interested to hear more!

[ghillbert, MSN, NP]

Sounds like hogwash to me but would be interested to hear the proposed mechanism of action.

[GreyGull]

There are many articles written on the subject of oxygen postoperatively but it is also just one part of the equation as far as the kidneys are concerned. The kidneys are very sensitive to any hypoxic or hypoperfused state. O2 consumption at the tissue level must also be considered for factors such as shivering and obesity. That is not alwayss obvious by an "SpO2" reading. Some post op orders now not only require O2 for 24 hours but also CPAP for anyone who meets certain risk criteria.

[vigilante86]

Oxygen is actually a vasodilator, not constrictor, which makes sense because it would increase renal perfusion. Hypertension decreases renal perfusion. In patients with CHF it's used because it reduces pulmonary vascular resistance by dilating the pulmonary bed. I can site my source if you want, I had to run and look it up in one of my textbooks just to make sure I was right.

[elizadream]

Thank You for the reply and rationale.

[ghillbert, MSN, NP]

I still don't see it as "diuretic". Providing sufficient oxygen to adequately supply the kidneys for normal function is not the same as "using oxygen as a diuretic".

[vigilante86]

I totally agree that oxygen itself isnt considered a diuretic but it does have an indirect diuretic effect. If someone were to implement that as a means to stimulate an increase in urine output it would be more supportive then anything. Like if the person didnt have renal dysfunction and the urine output was on the low end of normal with fluids infusing, O2 could be given just to give a little support to help produce more urine.