2004 OPEN FORUM Abstracts
HIGH FLOW GAS THERAPY VIA NASAL CANNULA FOR RESPIRATORY INSUFFICIENCY
Joy
Sarkisian-Donovan RRT; John J Hill, RRT; Respiratory Care
Staff; Michael J Neary MD; David M.F. Murphy MD; Deborah Heart and
Lung Center, Browns Mills, NJ
Introduction:
High flow gas therapy (HFT) via nasal cannula (NC) is a recent
development for the treatment of patients with respiratory
compromise. HFT delivers high flows of up to 40 liters per minute
(lpm) supplemental gas at BTPS (Body Temperature Pressure Saturated)
which patients find comfortable. In this study, we used HFT in lieu
of non-invasive or invasive ventilation for patients with respiratory
insufficiency. Respiratory insufficiency was defined as an increasing
demand for supplemental oxygen along with decreasing oxygen
saturation (SaO2%) and increasing respiratory rate (RR).
Method: Subjects
with respiratory insufficiency were sequentially placed on HFT. All
HFT measurements were recorded. A subjective modified Borg scale for
dyspnea assessment was recorded after placement on HFT. HFT was
delivered using the Vapotherm™ 2000i system. Failures on HFT
were advanced to non-invasive or invasive ventilation. HFT was
delivered via NC with temperature and flow rates titrated to patient
comfort and oxygenation requirement. Recorded measurements post
placement of HFT at time intervals of 30-60 minutes included RR and
SaO2% measured by pulse oximetry.
Results:
Twenty-nine patients (29) were studied. There were 10 females and 19
males. The mean age was 65 years (range of 16 – 84 years).
Prior to initiation of HFT the mean respiratory rate was 25 bpm
(range of 14 to 40 bpm), the mean SaO2% was 88% (range 78%
- 95%). Supplemental oxygen in the control group was delivered using
standard techniques including NC at 6 lpm (six patients) and Venti or
NRB mask (twenty three patients). After administering HFT the mean
respiratory rate was 20 bpm (range of 14 – 29 bpm), mean SaO2%
was 97% (range 90% - 100%), the mean FiO2% requirement was
86% (range 35% - 100%) titrated using an oxygen blender, with a mean
flow rate of 28 lpm (range 20 – 40 lpm). The mean temperature
was 37ºC (28 patients at 37ºC, 1 patient at 36ºC).
Using a one-tailed, paired, t-test, there was a significant decrease
in the respiratory rate (RR) for HFT compared to the Pre-HFT (p =
0.0001). There was a significant increase in Sa02% with HFT compared
to Pre-HFT (p = 0.000004). No patient using HFT required subsequent
non-invasive or invasive ventilation.
Conclusion: HFT
significantly increased Sa02% and significantly decreased
RR in all 29 patients in this study. HFT can improve acute
respiratory insufficiency in patients without discomfort as indicated
by patient response to the Borg scale questionnaire. HFT at flows up
to 40 lpm per NC may be considered as an alternative to more
aggressive respiratory therapy such as non-invasive or invasive
ventilation.