Introduction: To assess the efficacy and safety of high-flow nasal cannula (HFNC) in elderly patients with acute respiratory failure (ARF) not due to COVID-19, refractory to treatment with conventional oxygen therapy and/or intolerant to noninvasive ventilation (NIV) or continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) and without criteria for admission to intensive care units (ICU).
Methods: Prospective observational study of patients with ARF treated with HFNC who presented clinical and arterial blood gas deterioration after 24 h of medical treatment and oxygenation by conventional systems. The degree of dyspnoea, gas exchange parameters (arterial O pressure/inspired O fraction ratio (PaO/FiO); oxygen saturation measured by oximetry/ inspired fraction of oxygen (Sp0/Fi0), ROX index), degree of patient tolerance and mortality were evaluated.
Objectives: To evaluate the efficacy and safety of high-flow nasal cannula (HFNC) oxygen therapy in patients in acute respiratory failure due to acute heart failure (AHF) refractory to conventional oxygen therapy or noninvasive ventilation.
Methods: Prospective observational study of patients with AHF and respiratory failure attended in an emergency department whose condition worsened after they were admitted to a short-stay unit, leading to use of HFNCs. Efficacy was assessed using a modified Borg dyspnea scale and oxygenation variables on discharge from the emergency department.
Various oxygenization methods are used in the treatment of respiratory failure in acute heart failure. Occasionally, after patients are stabilized by these ventilation methods, some maintain a degree of dyspnea or hypoxemia which does not improve and is unrelated to deterioration in the functional class or the need to optimize pharmacological treatment. High-flow oxygen systems administered via nasal cannula that are connected to heated humidifiers (HFT) are a good alternative for oxygenation, given that they are easy to use and have few complications.
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