High Flow Nasal Cannula Oxygenation

Abstract

High Flow Nasal Cannula Oxygenation

The current pandemic of COVID-19 caused by novel severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) tested the healthcare infrastructure throughout the globe at all possible levels. Early reports suggest about 20% of patients infected with SARS-CoV-2 require hospitalization and 5-8% require admission to intensive care unit (ICU) due to severe disease.Supplementation of oxygen provided by various conventional oxygen therapy (COT) devices (like nasal prongs, face mask, venture mask or non-rebreather mask) may not be sufficient in cases of worsening respiratory failure. One form of escalating respiratory support in such patients is a high flow nasal oxygenation device. High flow nasal cannula oxygenation (HFNC) is a form of non invasive respiratory support. It acts as a bridge between low flow devices and non invasive ventilation and may reduce the need for intubation.