Male obese patient, aged 35 years with kyphoscoliosis due to poliomyelitis was admitted in respiratory and cardiac failure. Severe desaturations during sleep were found. After successful hospital treatment patient was submitted to the long-term oxygen therapy. Reduction of weight and smoking cessation was suggested. Patient stopped smoking, lost 14 kg in 12 months and breathed oxygen for 12 hours per day (mainly at night). Treatment resulted in a significant improvement in ventilatory reserves, blood gases and normalization of pulmonary arterial pressure.