Variability in low-flow oxygen delivery by nasal cannula evaluated in neonatal and infant airway replicas.

Background: The nasal cannula is considered a trusted and effective means of administering low-flow oxygen and is widely used for neonates and infants requiring oxygen therapy, despite an understanding that oxygen concentrations delivered to patients are variable.

Methods: In the present study, realistic nasal airway replicas derived from medical scans of children less than 3 months old were used to measure the fraction of oxygen inhaled (FiO) through nasal cannulas during low-flow oxygen delivery. Parameters influencing variability in FiO were evaluated, as was the hypothesis that measured FiO values could be predicted using a simple, flow-weighted calculation that assumes ideal mixing of oxygen with entrained room air.

Inhaled Nitric Oxide: In Vitro Analysis of Continuous Flow Noninvasive Delivery via Nasal Cannula.

Background: Inhaled nitric oxide (NO) is most frequently delivered to mechanically ventilated patients in critical care, but it can also be administered noninvasively. The delivered dose and efficiency of continuous flow NO supplied through a nasal cannula has yet to be established. This study aimed to determine the influence of nasal cannula type, supply flow, and breathing pattern on delivered NO using a realistic adult airway replica and lung simulator.