High-flow Nasal Oxygen Therapy Research Articles

Effect of high-flow nasal cannula oxygen versus standard oxygen on mortality in patients with acute hypoxaemic respiratory failure: protocol for a multicentre, randomised controlled trial (SOHO)

IntroductionFirst-line oxygenation strategy in patients with acute hypoxaemic respiratory failure consists in standard oxygen or high-flow nasal oxygen therapy. Clinical practice guidelines suggest the use of high-flow nasal oxygen rather...

Impact of high-flow nasal oxygen therapy on postoperative atelectasis and reintubation rate after paediatric cardiac surgery.

Airway problems emerging after congenital cardiac surgery operations may have an impact on mortality and morbidity. Recently, to improve alveolar gas exchange and reduce respiratory effort, high-flow nasal cannula (HFNC) has started to be used in paediatric cases. This study aimed to evaluate the potential effects of high-flow nasal oxygen therapy on postoperative atelectasis development and reintubation rate in paediatric cardiac surgery patients. This study was conducted retrospectively in term newborns and infants younger than six months of age who underwent congenital cardiac surgery operation from 1 November 2022 to 1 November 2023 and were followed in the paediatric cardiac ICU. Patients who were receiving mechanical ventilator support at least 12 hours postoperatively were evaluated for the development of postoperative atelectasis and reintubation in the first 3 days of extubation. The patients were grouped as HFNC and non-HFNC users. Demographic characteristics, surgery type, and ICU clinical follow-up data were obtained from medical records. The results were statistically evaluated. A total of 40 patients who did not use HFNC in the early postoperative period and 40 patients with HFNC in the late period during the study period were included in the study. The median age was 1 month (IQR 15 days-2 months) with equal gender distribution. Among patients, 70% of them were in the neonatal age group. Reintubation rates in the first 72 hours in HFNC users and non-HFNC users were 2.5% and 12.5%, respectively (p < 0.05). The median postoperative atelectasis scores at 24, 48, and 72 hours of extubation were 2 versus 2.5 (p > 0.05), 1.5 versus 3.5 (p < 0.05), and 1 versus 3 (p < 0.05) in HFNC users and non-HFNC users, respectively. HFNC therapy may have a positive effect on preventing atelectasis and reducing the reintubation rate in the early postoperative period.

The post ICU trajectory: Post Acute and post ICU nutritional care

ICU survivors are growing but a persistent physical and mental disability may occur. The patients discharged from ICU are frequently malnourished and their medical nutritional support is impaired by oral intake limitation due to respiratory support such as non invasive ventilation or high flow nasal cannula oxygen therapy, dysphagia and difficulties to determine energy and protein targets. ICU acquired weakness must be recognized and could be minimized by better energy intake determined by indirect calorimetry, optimal protein intake and physical activity. Early physical activity has become a pivotal element of the improvement of the physical and cognitive condition in the post ICU.

Effect of high-flow nasal oxygen therapy combined with ipratropium bromide on Th1/Th2 balance and inflammation in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and respiratory failure.

To investigate the effect of a combination of high-flow nasal oxygen therapy (HFNO) and ipratropium bromide (IB) on Th1/Th2 balance and inflammation in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and respiratory failure (RF). A retrospective analysis was conducted on the clinical data of patients with COPD and RF admitted to the Affiliated Nanjing Brain Hospital of Nanjing Medical University from June 2021 to March 2023. A total of 162 patients were included, with 79 patients received respiratory support using HFNO (HFNO group) and 83 patients who were treated using combined HFNO/IB (combined group). Treatment effect, lung function, levels of Th1/Th2, and inflammatory state were compared before and after the treatment. Total effeicacy of patients in the combined group was significantly higher than that of the HFNO group (P<0.05). After the treatment, pulmonary function levels of the two groups was higher than that before the treatment, and was significantly better in the combined group compared to the HFNO group (P<0.05). The treatment was associated with a significant increase in the levels of Th1/Th2 in both groups. Post-treatment levels of these indexes in the combined group were markedly higher compared to the HFNO group (P<0.05). After the treatment, the inflammatory response of the two groups decreased, and was lower in the combined group that in the HFNO group (P<0.05). In COPD patients with RF, HFNO combined with IB is efficient in alleviating the inflammatory state of patients, restoring Th1/Th2 balance, and improving lung function compared to HFNO alone.

Comparison of Modified ROX Index Score and ROX Index Score for Early Prediction of High Flow Nasal Oxygen Therapy Outcome in Patients with Acute Respiratory Failure: A Prospective Observational Cohort Study.

We compared the modified ROX index and ROX index scores in earlier predictions of high-flow nasal oxygen (HFNO) therapy outcomes in patients with acute respiratory failure. We conducted a prospective observational study on 151 acute respiratory failure patients initiated on HFNO therapy. The primary objective of this research was to compare the modified ROX index and ROX index to investigate which score predicted HFNO treatment outcome earlier. The modified ROX index score had better predictive power than the ROX score at different time points, especially one hour following the start of HFNO therapy (AUC 0.790; 95% CI: 0.717-0.863; p < 0.001). For the ROX Index at 1 hour, the ideal cut-off value for HFNO outcome was 4.36 (sensitivity: 72.6%, specificity: 53.9%), and for the modified ROX index at 1 hour, it was 4.63 (sensitivity: 74.2%, specificity: 69.7%). The presence of various comorbidities didn't show any change in ROX-HR cut-off values. The modified ROX index is a better predictor of the success of HFNO therapy than the ROX index. Furthermore, the presence of any comorbidities did not affect modified ROX index cut-off values or the outcome of HFNO therapy. Sarkar AG, Sharma A, Kothari N, Goyal S, Meshram T, Kumari K, et al. Comparison of Modified ROX Index Score and ROX Index Score for Early Prediction of High Flow Nasal Oxygen Therapy Outcome in Patients with Acute Respiratory Failure: A Prospective Observational Cohort Study. Indian J Crit Care Med 2024;28(9):842-846.

Effect on post-operative pulmonary complications frequency of high flow nasal oxygen versus standard oxygen therapy in patients undergoing esophagectomy for cancer: study protocol for a randomized controlled trial-OSSIGENA study.

Postoperative pulmonary complications (PPCs) remain a challenge after esophagectomy. Despite improvement in surgical and anesthesiological management, PPCs are reported in as many as 40% of patients. The main aim of this study is to investigate whether early application of high-flow nasal cannula (HFNC) after extubation will provide benefit in terms of reduced PPC frequency compared to standard oxygen therapy. Patients aged 18-85 years undergoing esophagectomy for cancer treatment with radical intent, excluding those with American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA) score >3 and severe systemic comorbidity (cardiac, pulmonary, renal or hepatic disease) will be randomized at the end of surgery to receive HFNC or standard oxygen therapy (Venturi mask or nasal goggles) after early extubation (within 12 hours after the end of surgery) for 48 hours. The main postoperative goals are to obtain SpO2 ≥94% and adequate pain control. Oxygen therapy after 48 hours will be stopped unless the physician deems it necessary. In case of respiratory clinical worsening, patients will be supported with the most appropriate tool (noninvasive ventilation or invasive mechanical ventilation). Pulmonary [pneumonia, pleural effusion, pneumothorax, atelectasis, acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS), tracheo-bronchial injury, air leak, reintubation, and/or respiratory failure] complications will be recorded as main outcome. Secondary outcomes, including cardiovascular, surgical, renal and infective complications will also be recorded. The primary analysis will be carried out on 320 patients (160 per group) and performed on an intention-to-treat (ITT) basis, including all participants randomized into the treatment groups, regardless of protocol adherence. The primary outcome, the PPC rate, will be compared between the two treatment groups using a chi-square test for categorical data, or Fisher's exact test will be used if the assumptions for the chi-square test are not met. Recent evidence demonstrated that early application of HFNC improved the respiratory rate oxygenation index (ROX index) after esophagectomy but did not reduce PPCs. This randomized controlled multicenter trial aims to assess the potential effect of the application of HFNC versus standard oxygen over PPCs in patients undergoing esophagectomy. This study is registered at clinicaltrial.gov NCT05718284, dated 30 January 2023.

High Flow Nasal Cannula Oxygen Therapy (HFNC) With Different Temperatures in COVID-19 Patients: A Randomized Clinical Trial

Background: The effect of using high flow oxygen delivery through the nasal cannula (HFNC) in COVID-19 patients has been associated with different results. This study aimed to evaluate the effect of different HFNC temperatures in COVID-19 patients. Methods: Patients were randomly divided into three groups under high current oxygenation with temperatures of 31, 34, and 37. Except for the temperature, other device settings were set equally. After 24 hours, clinical conditions were on the agenda and compared with the conditions before the intervention. Results: Fever, sore throat, malaise, diarrhea in patients of 31 degree group and indicators of nausea, cough, body pain, headache have changed the most in 37 degree group. Abdominal pain has shown the greatest change in the 34 degree group. PR, DBP, and SpO2 indices changed the most at 31 degrees and RR and SBP at 37 degrees. PR, RR, SBP and SPO2 indices showed significant values in intra-group comparison, and in inter-group comparison, only PR, RR indices had significant differences. In intra-group analysis, PaCO2, WBC, CRP, ESR and ferritin had significant changes, and in inter-group comparison, none of the indicators had significant differences. Conclusion: Based on the results of the present study, reducing the temperature in the use of HFNC can improve the clinical conditions of patients with COVID-19.

Nasal high flow or noninvasive ventilation? navigating hypercapnic COPD exacerbation treatment: A randomized noninferiority clinical trial

BackgroundNoninvasive ventilation (NIV) has been the cornerstone for managing acute exacerbations of COPD (AECOPD) with hypercapnic respiratory failure. Nasal high flow (NHF) oxygen therapy has emerged as a potential alternative, offering a more tolerable modality with promising outcomes. The aim of the present study was to evaluate whether NHF respiratory support is noninferior to NIV with respect to treatment failure, in patients with mild-to-moderate hypercapnic AECOPD. MethodsIn this multi-center, randomized, noninferiority trial, 105 patients with AECOPD and respiratory failure type II were enrolled. Participants were randomly assigned to receive either NHF therapy or NIV. The primary endpoint was the frequency of treatment failure, defined as the need for intubation and invasive mechanical ventilation or a switch to the alternative treatment group. Secondary endpoints included changes in respiratory parameters, patient comfort indicators, and the occurrence of complications. ResultsThe findings revealed no significant difference in the primary outcome between the groups, with a treatment failure rate of 19.6 % (10 out of 51) in the NHF group and 14.8 % (8 out of 54) in the NIV group. Interestingly, NHF users reported significantly lower levels of dyspnea and discomfort at multiple follow-up points. Despite the differences in patient comfort, respiratory parameters such as respiratory rate, arterial blood gases, and use of accessory muscles of respiration showed no significant disparities between the groups throughout the study period. ConclusionsNHF therapy was similar to NIV in preventing treatment failure among patients with hypercapnic AECOPD, offering a viable alternative with enhanced comfort. Trial registrationThe study was prospectively registered in ClinicalTrials.gov (Identifier: NCT03466385) on March 15, 2018.

Nasal High-Flow Oxygen Therapy in Chronic Respiratory Failure for Homecare Applications-A Feasibility Study.

Background: While high-flow nasal cannulas (HFNCs) represent the standard of care in the intensive care unit for patients with severe hypoxemia, its use in homecare settings is uncommon despite its potential. The potential benefits and challenges of the high-flow nasal cannula (HFNC) in homecare settings compared to standard long-term oxygen via nasal low-flow therapy are unclear. Methods: We conducted a prospective monocentric feasibility study at the Department of Respiratory Medicine, University Hospital, Goethe University Frankfurt, Germany. Patients with interstitial lung disease or severe bronchiectasis (including cystic fibrosis) were enrolled into the study. The HFNC was introduced during hospitalization. The patients' compliance with home use advice and arterial blood gas results were evaluated at a 4-6-week follow-up. Results: A total of 12 patients were analyzed. HFNC initiation did not result in a significant improvement of the pO2/fiO2 (p/f) ratio. Only 8 out of 12 (66.6%) patients used the HFNC at home after the initial in-hospital initiation. Only 7 of the total 12 patients were using the therapy at a follow-up 3-6 weeks after HFNC onset. Two patients died during the observation, resulting in a surveillance mortality rate of 16.7%. Conclusions: The feasibility data showed low adherence to the HFNC at home. The lack of any positive effect on the p/f ratio may be due to low airflow rates and overall mild hypoxemia compared to patients with severe respiratory failure in the ICU.

High flow Nasal Cannula oxygen therapy: the Columbus egg that helps us understand the clinical meaning of dyspnea.

High flow Nasal Cannula oxygen therapy: the Columbus egg that helps us understand the clinical meaning of dyspnea.

Place of high-flow nasal oxygen in nonoperating room anesthesia.

This article aims to assess the utility of high-flow nasal oxygen (HFNO) therapy in nonoperating room anesthesia (NORA) settings. The number of procedural interventions under deep sedation in NORA is still increasing. Administration of oxygen is recommended to prevent hypoxemia and is usually delivered with standard oxygen through nasal cannula or a face mask. HFNO is a simple alternative with a high warmed humidified flow (ranging from 30 to 70 l/min) with a precise fraction inspired of oxygen (ranging from 21 to 100%). Compared to standard oxygen, HFNO has demonstrated efficacy in reducing the incidence of hypoxemia and the need for airway maneuvers. Research on HFNO has primarily focused on its application in gastrointestinal endoscopy procedures. Yet, it has also shown promising results in various other procedural interventions including bronchoscopy, cardiology, and endovascular procedures. However, the adoption of HFNO prompted considerations regarding cost-effectiveness and environmental impact. HFNO emerges as a compelling alternative to conventional oxygen delivery methods for preventing hypoxemia during procedural interventions in NORA. However, its utilization should be reserved for patients at moderate-to-high risk to mitigate the impact of cost and environmental factors.

Efficacy of high-flow nasal oxygen therapy started in the emergency room versus conventional oxygen therapy in patients with acute hypoxaemic respiratory distress: protocol for a French multicentric, prospective, open and randomised superiority study protocol (HIFLOWED)

IntroductionAcute respiratory failure is a life-threatening condition frequently found in the emergency department. High-flow nasal oxygen (HFNO) is increasingly used in emergency departments for patients with hypoxaemic acute respiratory failure....

Outcome of Early Initiation of High-flow Nasal Oxygen Therapy among Pneumonia Patients Presenting with Acute Hypoxemic Respiratory Failure.

High-flow nasal oxygen (HFNO) therapy is an upcoming and beneficial modality for patients with acute hypoxemic respiratory failure (AHRF). To evaluate whether early use of HFNO in pneumonia patients with AHRF can reduce the need for invasive ventilation. In this prospective, randomized controlled trial, 160 patients who fulfilled the criteria were included. The patient's characteristics, sequential organ failure assessment score, and simplified acute physiology score were recorded. Respiratory rate (RR), and oxygenation parameters (PaO2/FiO2), and RR-oxygenation index at selected time intervals were collected and analyzed. The primary outcome was the number of patients who needed intubation. Secondary outcomes included length of intensive care unit (ICU) and hospital stay and mortality at day 28. The rate of intubation was not statistically significant between the two groups 15 vs 18.7%; difference 3.7% [(95% confidence interval (CI): 2.5-5.7%]. In 48-hour time periods, the mean PaO2/FiO2 ratio was significantly increased in the HFNO group compared with the non-invasive ventilation (NIV) group. The RRs and heart rate (HR) showed a significant decrease in the HFNO group.The length of ICU and hospital stays was not different between both groups. No significant differences were found in mortality rates between the HFNO and NIV groups 9 (11.2%) and 10 (12.5%), with 1.3% (95% CI: 0.7-3.8%) (p = 0.21). Multivariate analysis demonstrated that low baseline PaO2/FiO2, Respiratory rate-oxygenation index (ROX index) ≤ 5.4 measured at 12 hour and high severity scores were independent risk factors for intubation. Treatment with HFNO did not reduce the need for intubation among patients with pneumonia-induced AHRF, despite the improved PaO2/FiO2 observed with HFNO compared with NIV. NCT05809089. Magdy DM. Outcome of Early Initiation of High-flow Nasal Oxygen Therapy among Pneumonia Patients Presenting with Acute Hypoxemic Respiratory Failure. Indian J Crit Care Med 2024;28(8):753-759.

Respiratory Worsening at the End of a Hospital Stay for Severe Covid19 Pneumonia Revealing Pulmonary Tuberculosis

The coexistence of a viral and tuberculous respiratory infection increases mortality and the transition to a severe form in both directions. We report an observation for a 55-year-old woman with untreated diffuse interstitial pnuemopathy, investigated by immunological and infectious tests, and found negative for pulmonary tuberculosis. Bronchial biopsies revealed non-specific inflammation, responsible for chronic dyspnea. Having presented ten days previously with myalgias, fatigue, dry cough and fever, with worsening of basic dyspnoea, without digestive or neurological manifestations, she was referred to the emergency department, where physical examination showed SpO2 at 80% on room air, reduced to 92% under 15 L/mn delivered via a high-concentration mask, polypnoea at 40 cycles per minute with bilateral diffuse crackling rales on auscultation, scattering just the anterior quadrants. The initial evolution was favorable, with clinical improvement in oxygen saturation to 94% on two liters per minute of oxygen delivered by nasal cannula, with respiratory rate at 23 cycles per minute with modest effort tolerance. On day 18 of hospitalization, she presented with a febrile peak of 38.3°C, polypnoea at 33 cycles per minute, increased oxygen requirements with a flow rate of 6l/m by face mask to reach an oxygen saturation of 92%, tachycardia at 130 beats per minute, and was therefore readmitted to intensive care with high-flow nasal oxygen therapy and antibiotic therapy with imipenem and amikacin. Multiplex PCR showing no germ, and a PCR test for pulmonary tuberculosis on a sputum sample which was positive, prompting the introduction of antibacillary treatment based on a fixed quadric-association of rifampicin, isoniaside, pyrazinaamide and ethombutol. Non-specific antibiotic therapy was discontinued after improvement of the inflammatory syndrome, and antibacillary treatment is still ongoing. Conclusion: Through this observation we discuss the difficulties in terms of diagnosis, management and outcome of a coinfection by SARS-COV 19 and mycobacterium tuberculosis.

High flow nasal cannula oxygen therapy versus non-invasive ventilation for acute exacerbations of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease with acute-moderate hypercapnic respiratory failure: a randomized controlled non-inferiority trial

BackgroundAlthough cumulative studies have demonstrated a beneficial effect of high-flow nasal cannula oxygen (HFNC) in acute hypercapnic respiratory failure, randomized trials to compare HFNC with non-invasive ventilation (NIV) as initial treatment in acute exacerbations of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (AECOPD) patients with acute-moderate hypercapnic respiratory failure are limited. The aim of this randomized, open label, non-inferiority trial was to compare treatment failure rates between HFNC and NIV in such patients.MethodsPatients diagnosed with AECOPD with a baseline arterial blood gas pH between 7.25 and 7.35 and PaCO2 ≥ 50 mmHg admitted to two intensive care units (ICUs) at a large tertiary academic teaching hospital between March 2018 and December 2022 were randomly assigned to HFNC or NIV. The primary endpoint was the rate of treatment failure, defined as endotracheal intubation or a switch to the other study treatment modality. Secondary endpoints were rates of intubation or treatment change, blood gas values, vital signs at one, 12, and 48 h, 28-day mortality, as well as ICU and hospital lengths of stay.Results225 total patients (113 in the HFNC group and 112 in the NIV group) were included in the intention-to-treat analysis. The failure rate of the HFNC group was 25.7%, while the NIV group was 14.3%. The failure rate risk difference between the two groups was 11.38% (95% CI 0.25–21.20, P = 0.033), which was higher than the non-inferiority cut-off of 9%. In the per-protocol analysis, treatment failure occurred in 28 of 110 patients (25.5%) in the HFNC group and 15 of 109 patients (13.8%) in the NIV group (risk difference, 11.69%; 95% CI 0.48–22.60). The intubation rate in the HFNC group was higher than in the NIV group (14.2% vs 5.4%, P = 0.026). The treatment switch rate, ICU and hospital length of stay or 28-day mortality in the HFNC group were not statistically different from the NIV group (all P > 0.05).ConclusionHFNC was not shown to be non-inferior to NIV and resulted in a higher incidence of treatment failure than NIV when used as the initial respiratory support for AECOPD patients with acute-moderate hypercapnic respiratory failure.Trial registration: chictr.org (ChiCTR1800014553). Registered 21 January 2018, http://www.chictr.org.cn

COVID-19 in patients with haematologic malignancies: Effect of RNAemia on clinical outcome in vaccinated patients

ObjectivesPatients with haematologic malignancies (HM) COVID-19 have more severe disease, with increased risk of mortality. Therefore, this study aimed to evaluate the effect of SARS-CoV-2 RNAemia and the specific humoral immune responses on the clinical outcomes of patients with HM and COVID-19. MethodsInterferon-α/γ (IFN-α/IFN-γ) serum levels, neutralizing antibodies and RNAemia at COVID-19 diagnosis, and persistent RNAemia during the follow-up were evaluated. ResultsOverall, 63 (58.9%) out of 107 patients had RNAemia, which was persistent in 26 (41.3%) patients. RNAemia at diagnosis and persistent RNAemia were associated with the need for high-flow nasal oxygen therapy during admission. Persistent RNAemia, age >70 years, and CURB-65 score ≥2 in patients with pneumonia were associated with increased 90-day mortality (P = 0.009, P = 0.030 and P = 0.001, respectively). The 90-day overall survival was lower (P = 0.006) in patients with persistent RNAemia. In addition, dexamethasone administration was associated with a COVID-19 episode with persistent RNAemia. ConclusionOur results suggest that in patients with HM, RNAemia at the time of COVID-19 diagnosis and during the follow-up can be used to stratify patients with HM according to their clinical evolution and to guide clinical decisions tailored to the specific needs of each patient.

High-flow nasal oxygen therapy compared with conventional oxygen therapy in hospitalised patients with respiratory illness: a systematic review and meta-analysis

BackgroundHigh-flow nasal oxygen therapy (HFNO) is used in diverse hospital settings to treat patients with acute respiratory failure (ARF). This systematic review aims to summarise the evidence regarding any benefits...

High-flow nasal oxygen versus conventional oxygen therapy during cesarean section under neuraxial anesthesia in pregnant women with heart disease: a randomized controlled trial

To evaluate the beneficial effects of high-flow nasal cannula (HFNC) oxygen therapy during cesarean section in pregnant women with heart disease. We conducted a single-center, single-blinded randomized trial of HFNC oxygen therapy in pregnant women with heart disease undergoing cesarean section under neuraxial anesthesia.The participants were randomly assigned to receive either HFNC oxygen therapy with inspiratory flow of 30 L/min with 40% FIO2(n=27) or conventional oxygen therapy (COT) with oxygen flow rate of 5 L/min via a nasal cannula (n=31).The primary outcome was maternal desaturation (SpO2 < 94% lasting more than 3 min or PaO2/FIO2≤300 mmHg). Maternal desaturation was observed in 7.4%(2/27) of the women in HFNC group and in 32.3%(10/31) in the COT group.None of the cases required tracheal intubation during the perioperative period.The HFNC group had a significantly higher incidence of postoperative leukocytosis (P < 0.05) but without pyrexia or other inflammation-related symptoms.There were no significant differences between the two groups in the secondary maternal outcomes (need for respiratory support, maternal ICU admission, postoperative respiratory complications, and cardiovascular complications) or neonatal outcomes (P>0.05). In pregnant women with heart disease, HFNC therapy can significantly reduce the rate of maternal desaturation during the perioperative period of cesarean section without adverse effects on short-term maternal or fetal outcomes.

Case series of dogs with blastomycosis managed with high-flow nasal oxygen therapy (2019-2023): 19 cases.

To describe the clinical presentation, progression, treatment, and outcome of dogs with blastomycosis treated with high-flow nasal oxygen therapy (HFNOT). Retrospective case review. University veterinary teaching hospital. Nineteen client-owned dogs with strongly suspected or confirmed blastomycosis treated with HFNOT. The medical records of dogs with strongly suspected or confirmed blastomycosis between October 2019 and May 2023 that received HFNOT were evaluated. Nineteen dogs were included. Nine dogs were started directly on high-flow nasal oxygen therapy. The remaining 10 dogs first received traditional oxygen therapy and were then transitioned to HFNOT 3-142 h later. Of the 19 dogs, 1 survived to discharge from hospital, 12 were euthanized due to progression of disease, and 6 died during the hospitalization period. The prognosis for survival of dogs with severe blastomycosis requiring therapy beyond traditional oxygen methods was poor to grave in this population. This is the first known documented report of HFNOT use in dogs with confirmed or suspected blastomycosis.

Nutrition therapy in non-intubated patients with acute respiratory failure: a narrative review.

Non-invasive ventilation use is increasing in patients from acute respiratory failure. However, nutritional assessment and medical nutritional therapy are often missed and patients may be frequently underfed. This review evaluates the tools for nutritional screening and assessment, assesses the use of medical nutritional therapy in various techniques of non invasive ventilation and suggested tools to improve this therapy. A review of the literature was performed to evaluate the tools available to define malnutrition and determine the energy needs of patients requiring non invasive ventilation. Energy and protein intake was assessed in 16 recent papers. High Flow Nasal Cannula Oxygen therapy and non invasive ventilation using mask were described and nutritional therapy determined in each condition. A better determination of malnutrition, a more adequate energy requirement and an improved energy and protein administration are required in patients with acute respiratory failure treated with non invasive ventilation.