Nasal high flow therapy for neonates: Current evidence and future directions

Randomised control trial of oxygen assist module in preterm infants on high-flow nasal cannula support

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate the efficacy of automatic oxygen control (A-FiO2) in reducing the extremes of oxygen saturations (SpO2<80% and SpO2>98%) in preterm infants on high-flow nasal cannula (HFNC) respiratory support using Vapotherm Precision Flow.

DESIGN

A parallel-arm randomised controlled trial.

SETTING

A level-III neonatal intensive care unit.

PATIENTS

Preterm infants born <33 (23+0 to 32+6) weeks receiving HFNC as respiratory support.

INTERVENTIONS

A-FiO2 versus manual (M-FiO2) oxygen control during the full course of HFNC support.

OUTCOMES

The primary outcome of this study is percentage of time spent in extreme oxygen saturations (<80% and >98%) in preterm infants when receiving HFNC as respiratory support. Secondary outcomes were time with SpO2 between 90% and 95% plus time >95% without supplemental oxygen.

RESULTS

60 infants were randomised equally to either A-FiO2 or M-FiO2 arm. Their baseline characteristics were comparable. They spent a median of 5.3 (IQR: 2.0-8.4) and 6.5 (IQR: 2.9-13.7) days in the study, A-FiO2 and M-FiO2, respectively. The percentage of time spent in SpO2<80% (median of 0.4% (0.1%-0.8%) vs 1.6% (0.6%-2.6%), p=0.002) and >98% (median 0.2% (0.1%-0.9%) vs 1.9% (0.7%-4%), p<0.001) were significantly lower in A-FiO2 compared with M-FiO2. The difference in median percentage of time in target range between the two arms was 26% (81% (74%-93%) in A-FiO2 vs 55% (48%-72%) in M-FiO2).

CONCLUSION

A-FiO2 was associated with statistically significant reduction in the percentage of time spent in extremes of saturation when compared with M-FiO2 in preterm infants receiving HFNC.

TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER

NCT04687618.

Guidelines for high-flow nasal cannula oxygen therapy in neonates (2022)

High-flow nasal cannula (HFNC) oxygen therapy, which is important in noninvasive respiratory support, is increasingly being used in critically ill neonates with respiratory failure because it is comfortable, easy to setup, and has a low incidence of nasal trauma. The advantages, indications, and risks of HFNC have been the focus of research in recent years, resulting in the development of the application. Based on current evidence, we developed guidelines for HFNC in neonates using the Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development and Evaluation (GRADE). The guidelines were formulated after extensive consultations with neonatologists, respiratory therapists, nurse specialists, and evidence-based medicine experts. We have proposed 24 recommendations for 9 key questions. The guidelines aim to be a source of evidence and reference of HFNC oxygen therapy in clinical practice, and so that more neonates and their families will benefit from HFNC.

Use of high flow nasal cannula in Spanish neonatal units

INTRODUCTION

The use of high-flow cannula therapy (HFNC) in neonatal units has increased in recent years, but there are no consensus guidelines on its indications and application strategies. Our aim was to know the rate of use of HFNC, their indications and the management variability among Spanish neonatal units.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

Twenty-five-question survey for medical and nursing staff. Level II and III units were contacted by phone and sent in Google forms between September 2016 and December 2018.

RESULTS

Ninety-seven responses (63.9% medical, 36.1% nursing), from 69 neonatal units representing 15 autonomous communities (87% level of care III; 13% level II). All units except one have HFNC with a humidified and heated system. Their most frequent indications are: non-invasive ventilation weaning (79.4%), bronchiolitis (69.1%), respiratory distress of the term newborn (58.8%), after extubation (50.5%). Minimum flow (1-5 L/min) and maximum flow (5-15 L/min) are variable between units. 22.7% have experienced some adverse effect from its use (9 air leak, 12 nasal trauma). Less than half have an employment protocol, but all the answers agree on the usefulness of national recommendations.

CONCLUSIONS

HFNC therapy is widely used in Spanish units, but there is great variability in its indications and strategies of use. National recommendations would be applicable in most units and would allow unifying its use.

High-flow nasal cannula versus continuous positive airway pressure in primary respiratory support for preterm infants: A systematic review and meta-analysis

Respiratory support is crucial for the survival of preterm infants, and High-flow Nasal Cannula Oxygen Therapy (HFNC) and Continuous Positive Airway Pressure (CPAP) are commonly used for neonatal respiratory support. This meta-analysis aimed to compare the effects of HFNC and CPAP in primary respiratory support for preterm infants, to provide evidence-based support for clinical practice. PubMed, Embase, Cochrane Library, ClinicalTrials.gov, CNKI, VIP, WANFANG and SinoMed were searched for eligible studies. The primary outcomes included the incidence of treatment failure and the application of mechanical ventilation. A total of 27 eligible studies with 3,351 participants were included. There was no significant difference in the incidence of respiratory support failure [RR = 1.17, 95%CI (0.88-1.56)] and the application of mechanical ventilation [RR = 1.00, 95%CI (0.84-1.19)] between HFNC group and CPAP group. HFNC resulted in lower rate of air leaks [RR = 0.65, 95%CI (0.46-0.92)], nasal trauma [RR = 0.36, 95%CI (0.29-0.45)] and abdominal distension [RR = 0.39, 95%CI (0.27-0.58)], and later time of mechanical ventilation initiating [SMD = 0.60, 95%CI (0.21-0.99)], less duration of oxygen therapy [SMD = -0.35, 95%CI (-0.68 to -0.02)] and earlier enteral feeding [SMD = -0.54, 95%CI (-0.95 to -0.13)]. Alternative non-invasive respiratory support after initial treatment failure resulted in no difference in the application of mechanical ventilation between the two groups [RR = 0.99, 95%CI (0.52-1.88)]. HFNC might be more effective and safer in primary respiratory support for preterm infants. Using CPAP as a remedy for the treatment failure of HFNC could not avoid intubation. For premature infants with the gestational age <28 weeks, HFNC as primary respiratory support still needs to be further elucidated. Systematic Review Registration: https://www.crd.york.ac.uk/prospero/display_record.php?ID=CRD42022313479, identifier: CRD42022313479.

High-flow nasal cannula in children with asthma exacerbation: A review of current evidence

Asthma is the commonest obstructive airway disease and the leading cause of morbidity in children. In the pediatric population, acute exacerbations of asthma are a frequent cause of presentations and hospital admissions. An acute asthma exacerbation is potentially life-threatening; it is predominantly treated using conventional oxygen therapy with bronchodilators and systemic corticosteroids. The treatment of those who do not respond to conventional therapy is escalated to noninvasive positive pressure ventilation (NIPPV) before invasive ventilation. Although NIPPV has demonstrated benefits and safety, it still has limitations such as treatment intolerance caused mainly by discomfort and complications. High-flow oxygen therapy administered through a nasal cannula (HFNC) provides respiratory support with adequate airway humidity and has demonstrated safety and benefits in clinical practice. In the present review, we discuss HFNC and variations in HFNC use, focusing on its feasibility and current evidence of using it on children with asthma exacerbations.

[Use of high flow nasal cannula in Spanish neonatal units]

INTRODUCTION

The use of high-flow cannula therapy (HFNC) in neonatal units has increased in recent years, but there are no consensus guidelines on its indications and application strategies. Our aim was to know the rate of use of HFNC, their indications and the management variability among Spanish neonatal units.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

Twenty-five-question survey for medical and nursing staff. Level II and III units were contacted by phone and sent in Google forms between September 2016 and December 2018.

RESULTS

Ninety-seven responses (63.9% medical, 36.1% nursing), from 69 neonatal units representing 15 autonomous communities (87% level of care III; 13% level II). All units except one have HFNC with a humidified and heated system. Their most frequent indications are: non-invasive ventilation weaning (79.4%), bronchiolitis (69.1%), respiratory distress of the term newborn (58.8%), after extubation (50.5%). Minimum flow (1-5 L/min) and maximum flow (5-15 L/min) are variable between units. 22.7% have experienced some adverse effect from its use (9 air leak, 12 nasal trauma). Less than half have an employment protocol, but all the answers agree on the usefulness of national recommendations.

CONCLUSIONS

HFNC therapy is widely used in Spanish units, but there is great variability in its indications and strategies of use. National recommendations would be applicable in most units and would allow unifying its use.