High-flow nasal cannula versus conventional oxygen therapy after endotracheal extubation: a randomized crossover physiologic study.

Objective: Compare the short-term benefit of high-flow nasal cannula (HFNC) with non-rebreathing mask in terms of change in dyspnea, physiologic variables, and patient comfort in subjects after endotracheal extubation.

Methods: A randomized crossover study was conducted in a 10-bed respiratory care unit in a university hospital. Seventeen mechanically ventilated subjects were randomized after extubation to either Protocol A (applied HFNC for 30 min, followed by non-rebreathing mask for another 30 min) or Protocol B (applied non-rebreathing mask for 30 min, followed by HFNC for another 30 min).