A randomized controlled trial of oxygen therapy in acute myocardial infarction Air Verses Oxygen In myocarDial infarction study (AVOID Study)

• Published in: The American heart journal 2012-03, Vol.163 (3), p.339-345.e1
• Main Authors: Stub, Dion, MBBS, Smith, Karen, BSc(Hons) PhD, Bernard, Stephen, MBBS MD, Bray, Janet E., RN, PhD, Stephenson, Michael, RN, BHlthSc, Grad, Dip (MICA), Cameron, Peter, MBBS, MD, Meredith, Ian, BSc, MBBS, PhD, Kaye, David M., MBBS, PhD
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Adolescent; Adult; Air; Biological and medical sciences; Cardiology. Vascular system; Cardiovascular; Coronary heart disease; Coronary vessels; Electrocardiography; Emergency Medical Services - methods; Follow-Up Studies; Heart; Heart attacks; Humans; Medical sciences; Mortality; Myocardial Infarction - diagnosis; Myocardial Infarction - therapy; Myocarditis. Cardiomyopathies; Oxygen; Oxygen Inhalation Therapy - methods; Prospective Studies; Studies; Treatment Outcome; Victoria; Young Adult
• ISSN: 0002-8703; 1097-6744
• DOI: 10.1016/j.ahj.2011.11.011

Background The role of routine supplemental oxygen for patients with uncomplicated acute myocardial infarction (AMI) has recently been questioned. There is conflicting data on the possible effects of hyperoxia on ischemic myocardium. The few clinical trials examining the role of oxygen in AMI were performed prior to the modern approach of emergent reperfusion and advanced medical management. Methods Air Verses Oxygen In myocarDial infarction study (AVOID Study) is a prospective, multi-centre, randomized, controlled trial conducted by Ambulance Victoria and participating metropolitan Melbourne hospitals with primary percutaneous coronary intervention capabilities. The purpose of the study is to determine whether withholding routine supplemental oxygen therapy in patients with acute ST-elevation myocardial infarction but without hypoxia prior to reperfusion decreases myocardial infarct size. AVOID will enroll 490 patients, >18 years of age with acute ST-elevation myocardial infarction of less than 12 hours duration. Conclusions There is an urgent need for clinical trials examining the role of oxygen in AMI. AVOID will seek to clarify this important issue. Results from this study may have widespread implications on the treatment of AMI and the use of oxygen in both the pre-hospital and hospital settings.