High-flow nasal cannula as a device to provide continuous positive airway pressure in infants.
OBJECTIVE
To measure the intrapharyngeal pressure (IPP) generated by high-flow nasal cannula (HFNC) at varying flow rates up to 5 l min(-1).


METHODS
We studied 14 infants on HFNC or NCPAP using IPP manometry to measure the IPP generated at flows of 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5 l min(-1).


RESULTS
On average flow rates of 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5 l min(-1) generated an IPP (cm of H(2)O) of 1.70+/-0.34, 1.75+/-0.2, 2.62+/-0.28, 3.78+/-0.44 and 4.84+/-0.51 respectively.


CONCLUSIONS
HFNC delivers significant IPP and is potentially a well-tolerated and viable option to provide CPAP at flows of > or = 3 min(-1) in infants with respiratory distress.
Spence
K L
KL
Division of Newborn Medicine, the Edward Mallinckrodt Department of Pediatrics, Washington University School of Medicine, St Louis Children's Hospital, St Louis, MO, USA. spence_k@kids.wustle.edu
Murphy
D
D
Kilian
C
C
McGonigle
R
R
Kilani
R A
RA
D002404:Catheterization; D045422:Continuous Positive Airway Pressure / Q000295:instrumentation*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D008297:Male; D009296:Nasal Cavity