High flow nasal oxygen in prevention of postextubation failure in hypercapnic patients

BACKGROUND: Postextubation respiratory failure is a major problem facing clinicians. It increases the economic burden, length of hospital stay and mortality. The aim of this study was to assess the efficacy of high flow nasal oxygen in prevention of postextubation respiratory failure.METHODS: Patients extubated after mechanical ventilation for type 2 respiratory failure, received either high flow nasal oxygen or non-invasive ventilation. Physiological parameters, outcome and length of hospital stay were recorded.RESULTS: Sixty-seven patients were enrolled, 34 patients received high flow nasal oxygen and 33 patients received non-invasive ventilation. There was no statistically significant difference between both groups regarding outcome, length of stay and physiological parameters.CONCLUSIONS: High flow nasal oxygen can be as effective as non-invasive ventilation in prevention of postextubation failure in hypercapnic patients.