Factors associated with failure of high-flow nasal cannula

Beong Ki Kim, Sua Kim, Chi Young Kim, Jaehyung Cha, Young Seok Lee, Yousang Ko, Won Gun Kwack, So Young Park, Je Hyeong Kim

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

9 Scopus citations

Abstract

BACKGROUND: The use of high-flow nasal cannula (HFNC) is rapidly increasing without clear indications, creating the potential for overuse or misuse and the accompanying risk of adverse events. The purpose of this study was to determine the factors associated with HFNC failure by examining the current clinical practice of HFNC. METHODS: From July 1, 2017, to June 30, 2018, in 5 university-affiliated hospitals in the Republic of Korea, a total of 1,161 admitted adult subjects who had HFNC administered were retrospectively enrolled and their medical records were reviewed. RESULTS: Pulmonary diseases including pneumonia (n = 757, 65.2%) were the most common reason for use of HFNC. Subjects with do-not-resuscitate (DNR) or do-not-intubate (DNI) orders comprised 33.8% of the study population (n = 392); 563 subjects (48.5%) were escalated directly to HFNC from low-flow devices without applying reservoir or other high-flow devices. In the non-DNR/DNI subjects, arterial blood gas was not monitored in 15.2% and 14.8% of subjects before and after HFNC application, respectively, and it was not monitored in 28.0% just before HFNC weaning. The HFNC failure rate was 27.0% in non-DNR/DNI subjects, and the HFNC failure was significantly associated with the decision by residents to apply HFNC (odds ratio [OR] 2.03, 95% CI 1.29–3.18, P =.002), high breathing frequency (OR 1.07, 95% CI 1.04–1.10, P <.001) ≤ 6 h before HFNC application, low SaO2 (OR 0.92, 95% CI 0.89–0.95, P <.001) ≤ 6 h before HFNC application, low SpO2 (OR 0.95, 95% CI 0.93–0.98, P <.001) ≤ 6 h before HFNC application, and the ratio of SpO2 /FIO2 to breathing frequency (ROX index) ≤ 6 h after HFNC application (OR 0.88, 95% CI 0.84–0.92, P<.001). CONCLUSIONS: HFNC was practiced without applying reservoir or other high-flow devices before application and without appropriate arterial blood gas monitoring during HFNC therapy. HFNC failure was significantly associated with the decision by the resident to use HFNC, breathing frequency, SaO2, and SpO2 ≤ 6 h before HFNC application, and with the ROX index ≤ 6 h after HFNC application.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)1276-1284
Number of pages9
JournalRespiratory Care
Volume65
Issue number9
DOIs
StatePublished - 1 Sep 2020

Bibliographical note

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© 2020 Daedalus Enterprises.

Keywords

  • High-flow nasal cannula
  • Hypoxia
  • Oxygen inhalation therapy
  • Respiratory insufficiency

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