High-flow nasal cannula therapy in patients with COVID-19 in intensive care units in a country with limited resources: a single-center experience
Anh-Minh Vu Phan, Hai-Yen Thi Hoang, Thanh-Son Truong Do, Trung Quoc Hoang, Thuan Van Phan, Nguyet-Anh Phuong Huynh, Khoi Minh Le- Biochemistry (medical)
- Cell Biology
- Biochemistry
- General Medicine
Objective
This study was performed to determine the outcomes of patients with coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) who developed hypoxemic respiratory failure necessitating high-flow nasal cannula (HFNC) therapy and to identify the predictors of HFNC therapy success.
Methods
This retrospective observational study involved all patients treated with HFNC therapy at a center for COVID-19 in Viet Nam from August to October 2021.
Results
The study recruited 302 patients. Of these 302 patients, 171 (56.6%) underwent successful HFNC therapy, and the all-cause mortality rate was 33.44%. Non-critical COVID-19 and a higher respiratory rate–oxygenation (ROX) index at 48 hours after initiating HFNC therapy were independently correlated with HFNC therapy success. The statistically significant predictors of HFNC therapy success were younger age, non-critical COVID-19, a higher platelet count when starting HFNC therapy, and a higher ROX index at 24, 36, and 48 hours after HFNC therapy initiation.
Conclusions
HFNC therapy appears to be effective in patients with COVID-19 who develop respiratory failure requiring respiratory support. Non-critical COVID-19 and a higher ROX index measured 48 hours after HFNC therapy initiation might serve as predictive factors for the success of HFNC therapy.