High-Flow Nasal Cannula for Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease with Acute Compensated Hypercapnic Respiratory Failure: A Randomized, Controlled Trial.

Introduction: Currently, there is a lack of evidence on the utilization of high-flow nasal cannula (HFNC) in patients with acute exacerbation of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (AECOPD) accompanied by hypercapnic respiratory failure. We aimed to explore the efficacy and safety of HFNC compared with conventional oxygen therapy (COT) in such patients. Methods: This was a prospective, randomized, controlled trial. Patients with AECOPD with a baseline arterial blood gas pH ≥7.35, PaO2 <60 mmHg, and PaCO2 >45 mmHg were enrolled. The primary endpoint was treatment failure, which needs mechanical ventilation. Results: A total of 320 patients were randomized to either the HFNC group (n = 160) or the COT group (n = 160). Sixteen (10.0%) patients in the HFNC group had treatment failure during hospitalization, which was significantly lower than the COT group figure of 31 (19.4%) patients (p = 0.026). Twenty-four hours after recruitment, the PaCO2 of the HFNC group was lower than that of the COT group (54.1 ± 9.79 mmHg vs 56.9 ± 10.1 mmHg, p = 0.030). PaCO2 higher than 59 mmHg after HFNC for 24 h was identified as an independent risk factor for treatment failure [OR 1.078, 95% CI 1.006-1.154, p = 0.032]. Conclusion: In AECOPD patients with acute compensated hypercapnic respiratory failure, HFNC improved the prognosis compared with COT. Therefore, HFNC might be considered for first-line oxygen therapy in select patients. Trial Registration Number: ClinicalTrials.Gov: NCT02439333.

[The evaluation of combined CT pulmonary and bronchial arteriography for the diagnosis of hemoptysis].

OBJECTIVE: To establish the method of multi-slice spiral CT pulmonary angiography (CTPA)combined with bronchial angiography (CTBA) and to evaluate its value for diagnosis and treatment in hemoptysis. METHODS: After contrast material was administered intravenously, a 16-detector row helical CT scanner (Light Speed Ultra 16; GE Medical Systems) was used to complete CTPA first with a scan delay time of 12 - 16 s. Then CTBA was carried out, with a scan delay time of 26 - 28 s. The images were reformatted to evaluate the pulmonary artery and bronchial artery (BA). RESULTS: In 36 cases of hemoptysis, CTPA showed 7 pulmonary arterial abnormalities (3 cases with pulmonary embolism, 4 cases with one of pulmonary artery abnormity, primary pulmonary artery leiomyosarcoma, loss of sharpness of pulmonary artery or occlusion of right-inferior lung artery). In the 36 cases, CTBA showed 37 right BAs (11 tortuosity and thickening), 40 left right BAs (10 tortuosity and thickening) and 3 non-bronchial systemic arteries (1 from abdominal aorta tortuosity and thickening). Abnormal vessels had a close relation with pulmonary diseases. CONCLUSIONS: With this method CTPA and CTBA can be completed in a single procedure and abnormal pulmonary arteries and bronchial arteries can be shown clearly. This procedure maybe of important value for the diagnosis and treatment of hemoptysis.