Title: High Flow Nasal Cannula - <br/>Author: Kami Hu<br/><a href='http://umem.org/profiles/faculty/742/'>[Click to email author]</a><hr/><p>
High flow nasal cannula (HFNC) is a valid option in the management of acute hypoxic respiratory failure (AHRF) without hypercapnia, as evidenced by multiple studies including the FLORALI trial. Failure of HFNC, however, may result in delayed intubation and worsened clinical outcomes. </p>
<p>
Factors predicting HFNC failure and subsequent intubation include:</p>
<ul>
<li>
Lack of RR improvement at 30 and 45 minutes after initation of HFNC</li>
<li>
Lack of SpO2% improvement at 15, 30, and 60 minutes</li>
<li>
Persistence of paradoxic breathing (thoracoabdominal dyssynchrony) at 15, 30, 60, and 120 minutes</li>
<li>
Presence of additional organ system failure, especially hemodynamic (shock) or neurologic (depressed mental status)</li>
</ul>
<p>
Consider whether or not HFNC is appropriate in your patient with AHRF, and if you use it, reevaluate your patient to ensure improvement, or escalate their respiratory support. </p>
<fieldset><legend>References</legend>
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<span style="font-family: times;">1.<span new="" style="font-variant-numeric: normal; font-stretch: normal; font-size: 7pt; line-height: normal; font-family: " times=""> </span></span><span style="font-family: times; color: rgb(51, 51, 51); background: rgb(254, 254, 254);">Frat JP, Thille AW, Mercat A, et al. High-flow oxygen through nasal cannula in acute hypoxemic respiratory failure. N Engl J Med. 2015;372:2185–96.</span></p>
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<span style="font-family: times;">2.<span new="" style="font-variant-numeric: normal; font-stretch: normal; font-size: 7pt; line-height: normal; font-family: " times=""> </span></span><span style="font-family: times; color: rgb(51, 51, 51); background: rgb(254, 254, 254);">Sztrymf B, Messika J, Bertrand F, et al. Beneficial effects of humidified high flow nasal oxygen in critical care patients: a prospective pilot study. Intensive Care Med. 2011;37:1780–6.</span></p>
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<span style="font-family: times;">3.<span new="" style="font-variant-numeric: normal; font-stretch: normal; font-size: 7pt; line-height: normal; font-family: " times=""> </span></span><span style="font-family: times;">Messika J, Ben Ahmed K, Gaudry S, et al. Use of high-flow nasal cannula oxygen therapy in subjects with ARDS: a 1-year observational study. Respir Care. 2015;60(2):162-9.</span></p>
<p class="m_-4846094321732136798gmail-MsoListParagraphCxSpLast" style="font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8px; margin-left: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: times;">4.<span new="" style="font-variant-numeric: normal; font-stretch: normal; font-size: 7pt; line-height: normal; font-family: " times=""> </span></span><span style="font-family: times;">Hernandez G, Roca O, Colinas L. High-flow nasal cannula support therapy: new insights and improving performance. Crit Care. 2017;21(1):62.</span></p>
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