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Effects of high-flow nasal cannula therapy on oxygenation, lung volumes and CO2 removal in critically ill hypoxemic patients: preliminary results
Critical Care volume 19, Article number: P201 (2015)
Introduction
High-flow nasal cannula (HFNC) is increasingly proposed as respiratory support for hypoxemic non-intubated acute respiratory failure patients. Clinically, HFNC therapy decreases dyspnea, improves patient's comfort, improves oxygenation and enhances clearance of upper airway secretions [1]. We present preliminary results from a clinical study aimed at measuring the effects of HFNC on gas exchange, lung volumes and inspiratory effort in hypoxemic non-intubated critically ill patients.
Methods
We performed a prospective randomized cross-over study on hypoxemic non-intubated patients (PaO2/FiO2 ≤300 mmHg) admitted to the ICU of the San Gerardo Hospital and prescribed to receive oxygen by facial mask. We delivered the same air/oxygen mix by HFNC (Optiflow; Fisher & Paykel Healthcare, Auckland, New Zealand) and facial mask (20 minutes per step). Continuous recordings of regional lung volumes by EIT (Pulmovista 500; Drager Medical GmbH, Lubeck, Germany) and of inspiratory effort by esophageal pressure (Pes) were obtained and analyzed offline by dedicated software.
Results
We enrolled 15 patients (10 male), age 57 ± 16 years. Compared with standard facial mask, HFNC significantly improved PaO2/FiO2 (199 ± 60 vs. 150 ± 46, P < 0.001) and end-expiratory lung impedance (corresponding to aeration) (866 ± 568 au vs. baseline, P < 0.001). Moreover, HFNC decreased the respiratory rate (22 ± 5 bpm vs. 20 ± 5 bpm, P < 0.001), as well as negative Pes swings (ΔPes 8.3 ± 5 mmHg vs. 6.6 ± 1 mmHg, P < 0.01) and corrected minute ventilation (that is, actual MV × actual PaCO2 / 40 mmHg) (49,887 ± 16,176 au vs. 41,811 ± 14,042 au, P < 0.001). Finally, central venous pressure increased (6 ± 5 mmHg vs. 4 ± 5 mmHg, P < 0.01), possibly indicating positive end-expiratory pressure effect.
Conclusion
In non-intubated hypoxemic critically ill patients, HFNC improves oxygenation and end-expiratory aeration; moreover, HFNC reduces the inspiratory effort and the minute ventilation needed to maintain normal arterial CO2 tension.
References
Sotello D, Rivas M, Mulkey Z, Nugent K: High-flow nasal cannula oxygen in adult patients: a narrative review. Am J Med Sci. 2015, 179-85. 349
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Mauri, T., Eronia, N., Bellani, G. et al. Effects of high-flow nasal cannula therapy on oxygenation, lung volumes and CO2 removal in critically ill hypoxemic patients: preliminary results. Crit Care 19 (Suppl 1), P201 (2015). https://doi.org/10.1186/cc14281
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1186/cc14281