A preliminary randomized controlled trial to assess effectiveness of nasal high-flow oxygen in intensive care patients.
OBJECTIVE
In a cardiothoracic and vascular intensive care unit, to compare nasal high-flow (NHF) oxygen therapy and standard high-flow face mask (HFFM) oxygen therapy in patients with mild to moderate hypoxemic respiratory failure.


METHODS
In a prospective randomized comparative study, 60 patients with mild to moderate hypoxemic respiratory failure were randomized to receive NHF or HFFM. We analyzed the success of allocated therapy, noninvasive ventilation rate, and oxygenation.


RESULTS
Significantly more NHF patients succeeded with their allocated therapy (P = .006). The rate of noninvasive ventilation in the NHF group was 3/29 (10%), compared with 8/27 (30%) in the HFFM group (P = .10). The NHF patients also had significantly fewer desaturations (P = .009).


CONCLUSIONS
NHF oxygen therapy may be more effective than HFFM in treating mild to moderate hypoxemic respiratory failure.
Cardiothoracic and Vascular Intensive Care Unit, Auckland City Hospital, New Zealand. rparke@adhb.govt.nz
Rachael L
RL
Parke
Shay P
SP
McGuinness
Michelle L
ML
Eccleston
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D057785:Catheters; D015331:Cohort Studies; D003422:Critical Care; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D000860:Hypoxia / Q000209:etiology / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000628:therapy*; D008297:Male; D008397:Masks; D008875:Middle Aged; D010102:Oxygen Inhalation Therapy / Q000295:instrumentation*; D012131:Respiratory Insufficiency / Q000209:etiology / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000628:therapy*; D016896:Treatment Outcome