Effects of high-flow nasal cannula in patients with mild to moderate hypercapnia: A prospective observational study

Kyung Hun Nam, Hyung Koo Kang, Sung Soon Lee, So Hee Park, Sung Wook Kang, Jea Jun Hwang, So Young Park, Won Young Kim, Hee Jung Suh, Eun Young Kim, Ga Jin Seo, Younsuck Koh, Sang Bum Hong, Jin Won Huh, Chae Man Lim

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

2 Scopus citations

Abstract

Background: Evidence for using high-flow nasal cannula (HFNC) in hypercapnia is still limited. Most of the clinical studies had been conducted retrospectively, and there had been conflicting reports for the effects of HFNC on hypercapnia correction in prospective studies. Therefore, more evidence is needed to understand the effect of the HFNC in hypercapnia. Methods: We conducted a multicenter prospective observational study after applying HFNC to 45 hospitalized subjects who had moderate hypercapnia (arterial partial pressure of carbon dioxide [PaCO2], 43-70 mm Hg) without severe respiratory acidosis (pH <7.30). The primary outcome was a change in PaCO2 level in the first 24 hours of HFNC use. The secondary outcomes were changes in other parameters of arterial blood gas analysis, changes in respiration rates, and clinical outcomes. Results: There was a significant decrease in PaCO2 in the first hour of HFNC application (-3.80 mm Hg; 95% confidence interval, -6.35 to -1.24; P<0.001). Reduction of PaCO2 was more prominent in subjects who did not have underlying obstructive lung disease. There was a correction in pH, but no significant changes in respiratory rate, bicarbonate, and arterial partial pressure of oxygen/fraction of inspired oxygen ratio. Mechanical ventilation was not required for 93.3% (42/45) of our study population. Conclusions: We suggest that HFNC could be a safe alternative for oxygen delivery in hypercapnia patients who do not need immediate mechanical ventilation. With HFNC oxygenation, correction of hypercapnia could be expected, especially in patients who do not have obstructive lung diseases.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)249-255
Number of pages7
JournalAcute and Critical Care
Volume36
Issue number3
DOIs
StatePublished - Aug 2021

Bibliographical note

Funding Information:
Funding was provided by the Korea Health Industry Development Institute (https://www.khidi.or.kr; grant No. HI17C0263). High-flow nasal cannula device was sponsored by MEK-ICS, South Korea (http://mek-ics.com). Neither had a role in the study.

Publisher Copyright:
© 2021 The Korean Society of Critical Care Medicine.

Keywords

  • Carbon dioxide
  • Hypercapnia
  • Mechanical ventilation
  • Nasal cannula

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