| NIV | HFNC | P value |
---|---|---|---|
Total number of patients | 20 | 20 | Â |
Gender | Â | Â | Â |
 Male | 13 (65%) | 11 (55%) | 0.52 |
 Female | 7 (35%) | 9 (45%) | |
Age (years) | 68 ± 11 | 64 ± 12 | 0.28 |
SAPS II score | 46 ± 10 | 43 ± 13 | 0.39 |
Thrombocytopenia (<50 Mrd/L) | 3 (15%) | 5 (25%) | 0.43 |
Immunosuppression | 8 (40%) | 5 (25%) | 0.31 |
Use of vasopressors | 10 (50%) | 10 (50%) | 1.00 |
Antibiotic therapy | 17 (85%) | 19 (95%) | 0.29 |
Antimycotic therapy | 5 (25%) | 6 (30%) | 0.72 |
Antiviral therapy | 3 (15%) | 7 (35%) | 0.14 |
Main diagnosis | Â | Â | Â |
 Haematological disorder | 4 (20%) | 7 (35%) | 0.29 |
 Sepsis | 4 (20%) | 3 (15%) | 0.68 |
 Lung cancer | 2 (10%) | 3 (15%) | 0.63 |
 Extrapulmonary solid cancer | 2 (10%) | 3 (15%) | 0.63 |
 Liver cirrhosis | 1 (5%) | 1 (5%) | 1.00 |
 Trauma | 1 (5%) | 1 (5%) | 1.00 |
 Interstitial lung disease | 1 (5%) | 1 (5%) | 1.00 |
 Alveolar haemorrhage | 1 (5%) | 0 | 0.31 |
 Community-acquired pneumonia | 1 (5%) | 0 | 0.31 |
 Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease | 1 (5%) | 0 | 0.31 |
 Pulmonary arterial hypertension | 1 (5%) | 0 | 0.31 |
 Acquired immunodeficiency syndrome | 0 | 1 (5%) | 0.31 |
 Ileum perforation | 1 (5%) | 0 | 0.31 |
Indication for bronchoscopy | Â | Â | Â |
 Hospital-acquired pneumonia | 10 (50%) | 14 (70%) | 0.50 |
 Community-acquired pneumonia | 5 (25%) | 3 (15%) | |
 Suspected retention of secretions | 3 (15%) | 2 (10%) | |
 Suspected interstitial lung disease | 1 (5%) | 0 | |
 Suspected alveolar haemorrhage | 1 (5%) | 0 | |
 Suspected malignancy | 0 | 1 (5%) | |
Therapy at baseline | Â | Â | Â |
 Low-flow oxygen via nasal cannula | 5 (25%) | 2 (10%) | 0.23 |
 Low-flow oxygen via face mask | 1 (5%) | 3 (15%) | |
 HFNC | 9 (45%) | 13 (65%) | |
 NIV | 5 (25%) | 2 (10%) | |
Physiological parameters at baseline | Â | Â | Â |
 Heart rate (beats/min) | 95 ± 14 | 101 ± 15 | 0.27 |
 Mean arterial pressure (mm Hg) | 85 ± 11 | 82 ± 14 | 0.56 |
 Respiratory rate (breaths/min) | 30 ± 8 | 30 ± 9 | 0.86 |
 PaO2/FiO2 (mm Hg) | 163 ± 64 | 138 ± 69 | 0.25 |
 PaCO2 (mm Hg) | 43 ± 13 | 34 ± 6 | 0.01 |
 pH | 7.43 ± 0.11 | 7.46 ± 0.07 | 0.21 |