High Flow Therapy for the Treatment of Respiratory Failure in the ED
Acute Respiratory Failure
About this trial
This is an interventional supportive care trial for Acute Respiratory Failure focused on measuring high flow therapy, high flow nasal cannula, acute respiratory failure, noninvasive ventilation
Eligibility Criteria
Inclusion Criteria:
- Adult patients (> 18 yrs of age)
- Presentation with acute respiratory failure according to the following criteria:
- If any of these are present: Respiratory Rate >22 or labored; Suspected Acute Respiratory Acidosis, as defined as pH <7.32 on initial blood gas(either arterial or venous); Hypoxemia, as defined as Pulse Ox <92%;
- Clinical decision to escalate therapy to non-invasive ventilatory support, or to maintain non-invasive ventilatory support if delivered to the ED on such.
Exclusion Criteria:
- Suspected drug overdose
- Cardiovascular instability as demonstrated by hypotension relative to initial clinical presentation that requires immediate intervention
- End stage cancer
- Life expectancy < 6 months
- Respiratory arrest or significant respiratory depression on presentation
- Glasgow Coma Scale score < 9
- Cardiac arrest on initial presentation
- Need for emergent intubation
- Known or suspected cerebrovascular accident
- Known or suspected ST segment elevation myocardial infarction
- Patients with increased risk of pulmonary aspiration
- Agitation or uncooperativeness
Sites / Locations
- Athens Regional Medical Center
- McLeod Regional Medical Center
- Erlanger Health System
- Memorial Hermann Hospital
- Memorial Hermann The Woodlands
Arms of the Study
Arm 1
Arm 2
Active Comparator
Experimental
Noninvasive positive pressure ventilation
High flow therapy
Patients will be fit with an oronasal mask using a fitting gauge that will be applied by a respiratory therapist or other clinician skilled in management of NIPPV. Initial pressures will be at low end of suggested range but can be increased as rapidly as necessary to alleviate respiratory distress. Targets should be to lower respiratory rate to the low 20s and achieve tidal volumes of 6-8 ml/kg ideal body weight. If patients find pressures uncomfortably high, they can be lowered as necessary by 1 to 2 cmH2O decrements to enhance tolerance. EPAP (PEEP) can also be adjusted upward as needed to reduce triggering effort (by counterbalancing auto-PEEP) or to improve oxygenation. FIO2 will be 1.0 initially to assure adequate oxygenation, but should be adjusted promptly to maintain an FIO2 of no greater than 0.6 with an EPAP (PEEP) of not more than 10 cm H2O to maintain a PaO2 > 88%.
Patients will be fit with a Vapotherm adult nasal cannula that will be applied by a respiratory therapist or other clinician skilled in management of HFT. Initial flow will be set to 35 L/min but can be decreased or increased as rapidly as necessary to alleviate respiratory distress and optimize patient comfort. Targets should be to lower respiratory rate to the low 20s and with a HFT flow rate between 20 to 35 L/min. Starting temperature will be between 35 to 37 C; if patients find the gas temperature to be uncomfortable, it can be lowered as necessary down to 33 C to enhance tolerance. FIO2 will be 1.0 initially to assure adequate oxygenation, but should be adjusted promptly to maintain an FIO2 of no greater than 0.6 to maintain a PaO2 > 88%.