Protecting Postextubation Respiratory Failure and Reintubation by High-Flow Nasal Cannula Compared to Low-Flow Oxygen System: Single Center Retrospective Study and Literature Review

High-flow nasal oxygen therapy compared with conventional oxygen therapy in hospitalised patients with respiratory illness: a systematic review and meta-analysis

BACKGROUND

High-flow nasal oxygen therapy (HFNO) is used in diverse hospital settings to treat patients with acute respiratory failure (ARF). This systematic review aims to summarise the evidence regarding any benefits HFNO therapy has compared with conventional oxygen therapy (COT) for patients with ARF.

METHODS

Three databases (Embase, Medline and CENTRAL) were searched on 22 March 2023 for studies evaluating HFNO compared with COT for the treatment of ARF, with the primary outcome being hospital mortality and secondary outcomes including (but not limited to) escalation to invasive mechanical ventilation (IMV) or non-invasive ventilation (NIV). Risk of bias was assessed using the Cochrane risk-of-bias tool (randomised controlled trials (RCTs)), ROBINS-I (non-randomised trials) or Newcastle-Ottawa Scale (observational studies). RCTs and observational studies were pooled together for primary analyses, and secondary analyses used RCT data only. Treatment effects were pooled using the random effects model.

RESULTS

63 studies (26 RCTs, 13 cross-over and 24 observational studies) were included, with 10 230 participants. There was no significant difference in the primary outcome of hospital mortality (risk ratio, RR 1.08, 95% CI 0.93 to 1.26; p=0.29; 17 studies, n=5887) between HFNO and COT for all causes ARF. However, compared with COT, HFNO significantly reduced the overall need for escalation to IMV (RR 0.85, 95% CI 0.76 to 0.95 p=0.003; 39 studies, n=8932); and overall need for escalation to NIV (RR 0.70, 95% CI 0.50 to 0.98; p=0.04; 16 studies, n=3076). In subgroup analyses, when considering patients by illness types, those with acute-on-chronic respiratory failure who received HFNO compared with COT had a significant reduction in-hospital mortality (RR 0.58, 95% CI 0.37 to 0.91; p=0.02).

DISCUSSION

HFNO was superior to COT in reducing the need for escalation to both IMV and NIV but had no impact on the primary outcome of hospital mortality. These findings support recommendations that HFNO may be considered as first-line therapy for ARF.

PROSPERO REGISTRATION NUMBER

CRD42021264837.

Predictors and outcomes of high-flow nasal cannula failure following extubation: A multicentre observational study

INTRODUCTION

Despite adhering to criteria for extubation, up to 20% of intensive care patients require re-intubation, even with use of post-extubation high-flow nasal cannula (HFNC). This study aims to identify independent predictors and outcomes of extubation failure in patients who failed post-extubation HFNC.

METHODS

We conducted a multicentre observational study involving 9 adult intensive care units (ICUs) across 5 public hospitals in Singapore. We included patients extubated to HFNC following spontaneous breathing trials. We compared patients who were successfully weaned off HFNC with those who failed HFNC (defined as re-intubation ≤7 days following extubation). Generalised additive logistic regression analysis was used to identify independent risk factors for failed HFNC.

RESULTS

Among 244 patients (mean age: 63.92±15.51 years, 65.2% male, median APACHE II score 23.55±7.35), 41 (16.8%) failed HFNC; hypoxia, hypercapnia and excessive secretions were primary reasons. Stroke was an independent predictor of HFNC failure (odds ratio 2.48, 95% confidence interval 1.83-3.37). Failed HFNC, as compared to successful HFNC, was associated with increased median ICU length of stay (14 versus 7 days, P<0.001), ICU mortality (14.6% versus 2.0%, P<0.001) and hospital mortality (29.3% versus 12.3%, P=0.006).

CONCLUSION

Post-extubation HFNC failure, especially in patients with stroke as a comorbidity, remains a clinical challenge and predicts poorer clinical outcomes. Our observational study highlights the need for future prospective trials to better identify patients at high risk of post-extubation HFNC failure.

Sequential treatment of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease concurrent with respiratory failure by high-flow nasal cannula therapy

OBJECTIVE

To analyze the efficacy of sequential treatment with high-flow nasal cannula (HFNC) in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) concomitant with respiratory failure.

METHODS

A total of 100 COPD patients concomitant with respiratory failure requiring invasive mechanical ventilation from June 2019 to May 2020 in our hospital were enrolled and then divided into two groups according to the random number table, with 50 in each group. Pulmonary infection control window (PIC) was used as a switching point for sequential ventilation. The control group (CNG) received non-invasive positive pressure ventilation (NIPPV), while the study group (SG) underwent HFNC. The efficacy, complications and 48 h reintubation rate of the two groups were statistically analyzed. The respiratory parameters, diaphragmatic parameters, diaphragmatic excursion during quiet breathing (DEq), diaphragmatic rapid shallow breathing index (D-RSBI), COPD score (CAT), 6-min walk test (6 MWT) score (Borg), General Comfort Questionnaire (GCQ), sputum viscosity, and serum factors were observed before intubation and after 48 hours of intubation.

RESULTS

The overall response rate (94.00%) in SG was higher than that in CNG (80.00%) (P < 0.05); SG had lower RR, PaCO₂ and D-RSBI at 48 hours after extubation and higher PaO₂/FiO₂ and DEd than CNG (P < 0.05); SG exhibited lower CAT and Borg at 48 hours after extubation and higher GCQ score than CNG (P < 0.05); SG had lower sputum viscosity at 48 hours after extubation than CNG (P < 0.05); SG showed lower ET-1, NLR and NT-proBNP levels at 48 hours after extubation than CNG (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSION

HFNC sequential therapy is effective and safe in the treatment of COPD concomitantly with respiratory failure. It can improve respiratory function and diaphragmatic function, reduce dyspnea and fatigue, reduce sputum viscosity, regulate serum factors, and make patients enjoy higher comfort.