Clinical observation on high flow nasal cannula therapy as sequential treatment in post-extubation patients

Abstract

Objective To evaluate the effects of high flow nasal cannula therapy (HFNC) as sequential treatment on patients after extubation. Methods The clinical data of 61 post-extubation patients who were treated in the First People’s Hospital of Changde from January 2016 to December 2017 were retrospectively analyzed, of which 29 cases underwent HFNC treatment (HFNC group) and 32 cases underwent noninvasive positive pressure ventilation (NPPV) treatment (NPPV group). The general condition prior to extubation and clinical indexes after extubation were compared between the two groups. Results There was no significant difference in clinical indexes such as age, gender, time of ventilation, acute physiology and chronic health evaluation (APACHEⅡ) score, heart rate, respiratory rate, average arterial pressure, oxygenation index, partial pressure of oxygen (PaO2) and partial pressure of carbon dioxide (PaCO2) between the two groups (P all>0.05). There was no significant difference in oxygenation index and PaCO2 at 1 hour, 24 hours and 48 hours after extubation, as well as in reintubation ratio between the two groups (P>0.05). The incidences of pressure ulcer and aspiration in HFNC group were lower than those in NPPV group, but the difference was not significant (P>0.05). The tolerance score and intensive care unit (ICU) retention time in HFNC group was lower than that in NPPV group (P<0.05). Conclusions HFNC is effective and safe in the treatment of post-extubation patients, which is worthy of clinical promotion. Key words: High flow nasal cannula therapy; Noninvasive positive pressure ventilation; Extubation