"Comparison between high-flow nasal cannula (HFNC) therapy and noninvasive ventilation (NIV) in children with acute respiratory failure by bronchiolitis: a randomized controlled trial".

BACKGROUND: The objective of this study was to compare HFNC therapy to noninvasive ventilation (NIV/BiPAP) in children with bronchiolitis who developed respiratory failure. We hypothesized that HFNC therapy would not be inferior to NIV. METHODS: This was a noninferiority open-label randomized single-center clinical trial conducted at a tertiary Brazilian hospital. Children under 2 years of age with no chronic conditions admitted for bronchiolitis that progressed to mild to moderate respiratory distress (Wood-Downes-Férres score < 8) were randomized to either the HFNC group or NIV (BiPAP) group through sealed envelopes. Vital signs, FiO2, Wood-Downes-Férres score and HFNC/NIV parameters were recorded up to 96 h after therapy initiation. Children who developed respiratory failure despite receiving initial therapy were intubated. Crossover was not allowed. The primary outcome analyzed was invasive mechanical ventilation requirement. The secondary outcomes were sedation usage, invasive mechanical ventilation duration, the PICU LOS, the hospital LOS, and mortality rate. RESULTS: A total of 126 patients were allocated to the NIV group (132 randomized and 6 excluded), and 126 were allocated to the HFNC group (136 randomized and 10 excluded). The median age was 2.5 (1-6) months in the NIV group and 3 (2-7) months in the HFNC group (p = 0,07). RSV was the most common virus isolated in both groups (72% vs. 71.4%, NIV and HFNC, respectively). Thirty-seven patients were intubated in the NIV group and 29 were intubated in the HFNC group (29% vs. 23%, p = 0.25). According to the Farrington-Manning test, with a noninferiority margin of 15%, the difference was 6.3% in favor of HFNC therapy (95% confidence interval: -4.5 to 17.1%, p < 0.0001). There was no significant difference in the PICU LOS or sedation duration. Sedation requirement, hospital LOS and invasive mechanical ventilation duration were lower in the HFNC group. CONCLUSION: HFNC therapy is noninferior to NIV in infants admitted with mild to moderate respiratory distress caused by bronchiolitis that progresses to respiratory failure. TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBERS: U1111-1262-1740; RBR-104z966s. Registered 03/01/2023 (retrospectively registered). ReBEC: https://ensaiosclinicos.gov.br/rg/RBR-104z966s .

Comparison of the effects of high-flow nasal cannula and bilevel positive airway pressure treatments as respiratory physiotherapy interventions for children with asthma exacerbation: a randomized clinical trial.

OBJECTIVE: A high-flow nasal cannula is a practical and safe instrument that can be used for children with asthma exacerbation and promotes beneficial outcomes such as improved asthma severity scores and reduced hospitalization durations, salbutamol use, and oxygen use. To evaluate and compare the efficacy of high-flow nasal cannula treatment and that of bilevel positive airway pressure treatment as respiratory physiotherapy interventions for pediatric patients who are hospitalized because of asthma exacerbation. METHODS: During a randomized clinical trial, treatment was performed using a high-flow nasal cannula and bilevel positive airway pressure for hospitalized children with asthma. After randomization, data regarding lung function, vital signs, and severity scores (pulmonary index, pediatric asthma severity, and pediatric asthma scores) were collected. RESULTS: Fifty patients were included in this study (25 in the Bilevel Group and 25 in the high-flow nasal cannula group). After 45 minutes of therapy, an improvement in the forced expiratory volume in 1 second was observed. The high-flow nasal cannula group required fewer days of oxygen (O2) use, used fewer bronchodilators (number of salbutamol puffs), and required shorter hospitalization periods than the Bilevel Group (6.1±1.9 versus 4.3±1.3 days; 95% confidence interval, -5.0 to -0.6). CONCLUSION: A high-flow nasal cannula is a viable option for the treatment of asthma exacerbation because it can reduce the hospitalization period and the need for O2 and bronchodilators. Additionally, it is a safe and comfortable treatment modality that is as effective as bilevel positive airway pressure.ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT04033666.

Factors Influencing Feeding Decisions in Children With Bronchiolitis on High-Flow Nasal Cannula.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: High-flow nasal cannula (HFNC) is used in up to 50% of children admitted with bronchiolitis. Consensus recommendations for feeding these children have not been established, and there is variability in practice. We sought to identify factors influencing feeding decisions for general care patients admitted with bronchiolitis on HFNC from a national sample of interdisciplinary care team members. METHODS: In this qualitative study, we conducted semi-structured virtual interviews with care team members involved in making feeding decisions at 10 US hospitals from June 2022 to March 2023. Eligible participants included 1 nurse, respiratory therapist, speech language pathologist, and physician from each site. Interviews were audio-recorded, transcribed, and conducted until reaching sufficiency. Three researchers analyzed transcript data using content analysis guided by the Systems Engineering Initiative for Patient Safety 2.0 model. RESULTS: We interviewed 29 participants, including 19 nurses, respiratory therapists, and speech language pathologists and 10 physicians. Participants identified 11 factors influencing feeding decisions related to hospital work systems and processes outlined in the Systems Engineering Initiative for Patient Safety model, including people (child and parent characteristics, care team experience), tools and technology (guideline, protocol, ordersets), organization (institutional culture, education), environment (time of day, care location), task (interventions to optimize feeding), and process (clinical assessment, feeding trial, communication). CONCLUSIONS: Our findings suggest that feeding decisions are driven by factors related to the child, care team experience, institutional tools, and culture. These key factors may inform local improvement efforts to decrease variation in feeding children with bronchiolitis requiring HFNC.

High Risk ECMO Cannula to Circuit Connection.

ABSTRACT: A patient with a percutaneously inserted cardiopulmonary bypass cannula into the right internal jugular vein, connected to an extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) circuit using tape, was referred for transport to our ECMO center. We describe management, quality improvement, and lessons learned.

Comparison of two different Nasal Interfaces used in Non-Invasive Respiratory support in terms of Neonate comfort.

Background: Non-Invasive Ventilation (NIV) is the first choice approach in neonates with sufficient respiratory effort that require respiratory support. The type of nasal interface used in NIV affects both efficacy and patient comfort. The aim of this study is to investigate the effects of different nasal interfaces used in NIV support on neonatal patient comfort. Methods: Our study evaluated patients who received NIV support for 24 hours. The patients were randomly divided into two groups according to the type of nasal interface used, which were RAM cannula and short binasal prong (SBP). The patients' demographic and clinical data were noted. Their sleep was monitored for 24 hours with an actigraphy device. Results: A total of 82 patients were evaluated. The sleep efficiency in the RAM cannula group was significantly higher (respectively, 65.7% [10.22-95.25] vs. 57.81% [2.49-77], p=0.004). Although not statistically significant, the neonates in the RAM cannula group exhibited longer total sleep time (respectively, 10.4 ± 4.28 hours vs. 9.02 ± 3.73 hours, p=0.161). Comparison of heart rates and respiratory rates indicate that the patients in the RAM cannula group were more comfortable. Conclusions: Our study found that infants who received NIV support through a RAM cannula experienced more efficient sleep. Holistic approaches in neonatal intensive care units are vital for better neurodevelopmental outcomes in newborns. Although non-invasive, the interface used in NIV should also be a part of this holistic approach.

Conversion technique from venovenous to venopulmonary ECMO support.

We present the cannulation technique for venopulmonary extracorporeal membrane oxygenation using the ProtekDuo dual-lumen cannula in a patient who, after a bilateral orthotopic lung transplant and coronavirus disease 2019 infection, was converted from a multisite venovenous extracorporeal membrane oxygenation configuration, using the same vessel.

Predictors of high-flow nasal cannula failure in COVID-19 patients in a northern Peruvian hospital.

OBJECTIVES: To determine predictors of high-flow nasal cannula (HFNC) failure in COVID-19 patients in a hospital in northern Peru. METHODOLOGY: A retrospective cohort study was conducted during the months of March and May 2021. Data collection was based on a follow-up of 156 hospitalized patients with a diagnosis of COVID-19 who were users of HFNC. Epidemiological factors and clinical outcomes of treatment were analyzed from medical records. Epidemiological, analytical, and HFNC use-related characteristics were described using measures of absolute and relative frequencies, measures of central tendency, and dispersion. A multivariate Poisson regression analysis with robust variance and a 95% confidence interval was performed. RESULTS: We found that age, SpO2/FiO2, work of breathing (WOB scale) at admission, degree of involvement, type of infiltrate on CT scan, lymphocytes, c-reactive protein, and D-dimer were significantly associated with failure of HFNC (p < 0.05). In addition, the WOB scale, PaO2/FiO2, SaO2/FiO2, and ROX index were variables that presented statistical significance (p < 0.0001). In the multivariate analysis model, a risk of failure of HFNC was determined with age > = 60 years [RRa 1.39 (1.05-1.85)] and PaO2/FiO2 score less than 100 [Rra 1.65 (0.99-2.76)]. CONCLUSIONS: Predictors to failure of HFNC are age older than 60 years and minimally significantly lower PaO2/FiO2 than 100.

High flow nasal cannula oxygen therapy versus non-invasive ventilation for acute exacerbations of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease with acute-moderate hypercapnic respiratory failure: a randomized controlled non-inferiority trial.

BACKGROUND: Although cumulative studies have demonstrated a beneficial effect of high-flow nasal cannula oxygen (HFNC) in acute hypercapnic respiratory failure, randomized trials to compare HFNC with non-invasive ventilation (NIV) as initial treatment in acute exacerbations of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (AECOPD) patients with acute-moderate hypercapnic respiratory failure are limited. The aim of this randomized, open label, non-inferiority trial was to compare treatment failure rates between HFNC and NIV in such patients. METHODS: Patients diagnosed with AECOPD with a baseline arterial blood gas pH between 7.25 and 7.35 and PaCO2 ≥ 50 mmHg admitted to two intensive care units (ICUs) at a large tertiary academic teaching hospital between March 2018 and December 2022 were randomly assigned to HFNC or NIV. The primary endpoint was the rate of treatment failure, defined as endotracheal intubation or a switch to the other study treatment modality. Secondary endpoints were rates of intubation or treatment change, blood gas values, vital signs at one, 12, and 48 h, 28-day mortality, as well as ICU and hospital lengths of stay. RESULTS: 225 total patients (113 in the HFNC group and 112 in the NIV group) were included in the intention-to-treat analysis. The failure rate of the HFNC group was 25.7%, while the NIV group was 14.3%. The failure rate risk difference between the two groups was 11.38% (95% CI 0.25-21.20, P = 0.033), which was higher than the non-inferiority cut-off of 9%. In the per-protocol analysis, treatment failure occurred in 28 of 110 patients (25.5%) in the HFNC group and 15 of 109 patients (13.8%) in the NIV group (risk difference, 11.69%; 95% CI 0.48-22.60). The intubation rate in the HFNC group was higher than in the NIV group (14.2% vs 5.4%, P = 0.026). The treatment switch rate, ICU and hospital length of stay or 28-day mortality in the HFNC group were not statistically different from the NIV group (all P > 0.05). CONCLUSION: HFNC was not shown to be non-inferior to NIV and resulted in a higher incidence of treatment failure than NIV when used as the initial respiratory support for AECOPD patients with acute-moderate hypercapnic respiratory failure. TRIAL REGISTRATION: chictr.org (ChiCTR1800014553). Registered 21 January 2018, http://www.chictr.org.cn.

Improved nasal trumpet: "In-house" device to promote the healing of skin grafts in the anterior nasal nostril.

This technical note addresses the complexities of reconstructive surgery for malignant skin lesions in the lower nasal aperture and pericolumellar region. Traditional solutions, such as free skin grafts, face challenges in maintaining attachment to the surgical site without adequate support. Nasal packing, a common approach, obstructs the nasal opening and compromises air passage, hindering ventilation. The use of a nasal trumpet has proven beneficial in maintaining nasal patency in various cases, but it falls short of addressing the specific challenges posed by reconstructive surgery. The proposed solution involves a novel device comprising a nasal cannula, surgical sponge, and fine mesh gauze with 3% bismuth tribromophenate. This combination serves a triple purpose: the nasal cannula facilitates air passage, the surgical sponge applies controlled pressure around the nasal opening to aid graft adhesion, and the gauze with bismuth tribromophenate promotes wound healing and prevents infection. The assembled device is inserted into the nostril, anchored to the patient's skin with silk stitches. This innovative approach offers a practical solution for maintaining nasal patency, promoting graft adherence, and supporting wound healing in reconstructive surgery.

Exploring diaphragmatic response to high-flow nasal cannula in patients with COVID-19 pneumonia using ultrasound: a proof of concept study.

BACKGROUND: Recent studies have highlighted the recognition of diaphragmatic dysfunction as a significant factor contributing to respiratory disturbances in severely ill COVID-19 patients. In the field of noninvasive respiratory support, high-flow nasal cannula (HFNC) has shown effectiveness in relieving diaphragm dysfunction. This study aims to investigate the diaphragmatic response to HFNC in patients with COVID-19 pneumonia by utilizing ultrasound. METHODS: This retrospective study was conducted in a medical-surgical intensive care unit (ICU) at a tertiary care center in Buenos Aires, Argentina (Sanatorio de Los Arcos) over a 16-month period (January 2021-June 2022). The study included patients admitted to the ICU with a diagnosis of COVID-19 pneumonia who were deemed suitable candidates for HFNC therapy by the attending physician. Diaphragm ultrasound was conducted, measuring diaphragmatic excursion (DE) both before and during the utilization of HFNC for these patients. RESULTS: A total of 10 patients were included in the study. A statistically significant decrease in respiratory rate was observed with the use of HFNC (p = 0.02), accompanied by a significant increase in DE (p = 0.04). CONCLUSION: HFNC leads to a reduction in respiratory rate and an increase in DE as observed by ultrasound in patients with COVID-19 pneumonia, indicating promising enhancements in respiratory mechanics. However, further research is required to validate these findings.

Aerosol Delivery Efficiency With High-Flow Nasal Cannula Therapy in Neonatal, Pediatric, and Adult Nasal Upper-Airway and Lung Models.

BACKGROUND: High-flow nasal cannula (HFNC) systems employ different methods to provide aerosol to patients. This study compared delivery efficiency, particle size, and regional deposition of aerosolized bronchodilators during HFNC in neonatal, pediatric, and adult upper-airway and lung models between a proximal aerosol adapter and distal aerosol circuit chamber. METHODS: A filter was connected to the upper airway to a spontaneously breathing lung model. Albuterol was nebulized using the aerosol adapter and circuit at different clinical flow settings. The aerosol mass deposited in the upper airway and lung was quantified. Particle size was measured with a laser diffractometer. Regional deposition was assessed with a gamma camera at each nebulizer location and patient model with minimum flow settings. RESULTS: Inhaled lung doses ranged from 0.2-0.8% for neonates, 0.2-2.2% for the small child, and 0.5-5.2% for the adult models. Neonatal inhaled lung doses were not different between the aerosol circuit and adapter, but the aerosol circuit showed marginally greater lung doses in the pediatric and adult patient models. Impacted aerosols and condensation in the non-heated HFNC and aerosol delivery components contributed to the dispersion of coarse liquid droplets, high deposition (11-44%), and occlusion of the supine neonatal upper airway. In contrast, the upright pediatric and adult upper-airway models had minimal deposition (0.3-7.0%) and high fugitive losses (∼24%) from liquid droplets leaking out of the nose. The high impactive losses in the aerosol adapter (56%) were better contained than in the aerosol circuit, resulting in less cannula sputter (5% vs 22%), fewer fugitive losses (18% vs 24%), and smaller inhaled aerosols (5 µm vs 13 µm). CONCLUSIONS: The inhaled lung dose was low (1-5%) during HFNC. Approaches that streamline aerosol delivery are needed to provide safe and effective therapy to patients receiving aerosolized medications with this HFNC system.

[High-flow nasal oxygen versus conventional oxygen therapy during cesarean section under neuraxial anesthesia in pregnant women with heart disease: a randomized controlled trial].

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the beneficial effects of high-flow nasal cannula (HFNC) oxygen therapy during cesarean section in pregnant women with heart disease. METHODS: We conducted a single-center, single-blinded randomized trial of HFNC oxygen therapy in pregnant women with heart disease undergoing cesarean section under neuraxial anesthesia.The participants were randomly assigned to receive either HFNC oxygen therapy with inspiratory flow of 30 L/min with 40% FIO2(n=27) or conventional oxygen therapy (COT) with oxygen flow rate of 5 L/min via a nasal cannula (n=31).The primary outcome was maternal desaturation (SpO2 < 94% lasting more than 3 min or PaO2/FIO2≤300 mmHg). RESULTS: Maternal desaturation was observed in 7.4%(2/27) of the women in HFNC group and in 32.3%(10/31) in the COT group.None of the cases required tracheal intubation during the perioperative period.The HFNC group had a significantly higher incidence of postoperative leukocytosis (P < 0.05) but without pyrexia or other inflammation-related symptoms.There were no significant differences between the two groups in the secondary maternal outcomes (need for respiratory support, maternal ICU admission, postoperative respiratory complications, and cardiovascular complications) or neonatal outcomes (P>0.05). CONCLUSION: In pregnant women with heart disease, HFNC therapy can significantly reduce the rate of maternal desaturation during the perioperative period of cesarean section without adverse effects on short-term maternal or fetal outcomes.