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Table 1 Definitions for oxygen delivery devices and reported outcomes using high-flow nasal oxygen (HFNO)

From: High-flow nasal oxygen vs. standard oxygen therapy in immunocompromised patients with acute respiratory failure: study protocol for a randomized controlled trial

Definitions

 

HFNO

Device that delivers humidified and warmed, high-flow oxygen at flows greater than 15 L/min

Usual oxygen therapy devices

Devices used to treat spontaneously ventilating patients in the intensive care unit (ICU) who require supplemental oxygen. They deliver either:

 low-flow oxygen (including nasal cannula, Ventimask® without Venturi effect, and non-rebreather mask)

 or medium-flow oxygen (Venturi masks and medium-flow facemasks)

Non-invasive ventilation (NIV)

Administration of ventilatory support without using an endotracheal tube or tracheostomy tube. Ventilatory support can be provided through diverse interfaces (mouthpiece, nasal mask, facemask, or helmet) using a variety of ventilatory modes (e.g., volume ventilation, pressure support, bi-level positive airway pressure (BiPAP; see the image below), proportional-assist ventilation (PAV), and continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP)) with either dedicated NIV ventilators or ventilators also capable of providing support through an endotracheal tube or mask

Clinical outcomes in HFNO

Assessed by measuring

Oxygenation (desaturation)

Continuous SpO2

PaO2 at fixed times

PaO2/FiO2 ratio

Ventilation

PaCO2

Airway pressures

Nasopharyngeal or hypopharyngeal catheter

Work of breathing

Respiratory rate

Patient comfort and adherence

Visual Analog Scale (VAS) for breathing difficulties

Satisfaction and tolerance; global comfort

Dyspnea (VAS or Borg scale); dry mouth

Cardiovascular status

Heart rate

Shock; need for vasopressors

Complications

Need for NIV

Need for intubation and mechanical ventilation (MV); mortality