Preoxygenation With Nasal Cannula and Noninvasive Positive Pressure Ventilation

Analysis of Preoxygenation Combining Nasal Cannula With Noninvasive Positive Pressure Ventilation: A Randomized Crossover Trial

This is a prospective randomized cross over study of healthy volunteers comparing end-tidal oxygen concentration among subjects undergoing continuous positive airway pressure ventilation via a noninvasive ventilation (NIV) mask with and without the addition of nasal cannulas.

Noninvasive positive pressure ventilation with the addition of a nasal cannula is a useful technique to pre-oxygenate and provide apneic oxygenation in hypoxic patients undergoing emergency airway management. This study aims to evaluate preoxygenation by quantifying end-tidal oxygen (etO2) concentration resulting from nasal cannula placement underneath a noninvasive positive pressure ventilation (NIPPV) mask. This is a prospective randomized cross over study of healthy volunteers undergoing continuous positive airway pressure ventilation via a noninvasive ventilation (NIV) mask with and without the addition of nasal cannulas. End-tidal oxygen concentration will be measured by an oxygen sensor following three minutes of NIPPV with and without the addition of a nasal cannula, with each subject serving as his or her own control.

Subject is fitted with a face mask and undergoes three continuous minutes of positive pressure ventilation (Respironics AF521, EE with CapStrap headgear) while simultaneously wearing nasal cannula (Carefusion AirLife Standard Nasal Cannula) with 15 L/min oxygen flow. Subject then removes mask and immediately exhales into an oxygen sensor (Maxtec Max-250E).

Subject is fitted with a face mask and undergoes three continuous minutes of positive pressure ventilation (Respironics AF521, EE with CapStrap headgear). Subject then removes mask and immediately exhales into an oxygen sensor (Maxtec Max-250E).

Inclusion Criteria: Any healthy volunteer aged 18-65 years. Exclusion Criteria: Previous inability to tolerate noninvasive positive pressure ventilation with addition of a nasal cannula. Known underlying cardiac or pulmonary disease. Active respiratory infections.

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