In one trial, intubation rates were similar to those of noninvasive positive pressure ventilation, and 90-day mortality was lower.
Use of noninvasive positive pressure ventilation (NPPV) in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease exacerbations and cardiogenic pulmonary edema is well established, but its value in treating patients with hypoxemic respiratory failure is unclear. High-flow oxygen delivered by nasal cannula might be an alternative to NPPV in these patients. Investigators explored this question in two multicenter European studies.
In one trial, 310 patients (>60% with community-acquired pneumonia; none with hypercarbia) with hypoxemic respiratory failure were randomized to high-flow oxygen, standard oxygen delivery, or NPPV. Standardized criteria for intubation were used, including relatively conservative thresholds for pH (<7.35) and oxygen satur…
Reviewing Author
DisclosuresEditorial BoardsATS Scholar
DisclosuresEditorial BoardsATS Scholar