Impact of Prophylactic High Flow Nasal Oxygen in Post-Operative Thoracic Surgical Patients

University of Colorado Denver (CU Denver)

Status: Completed

Conditions: Post-operative Pulmonary Complications

Treatments: Other: Standard oxygen therapy; Device: Heated humified high-flow nasal cannula Oxygen

Study type: Interventional

Funder types: Other

Identifiers

NCT03024112

12-1403

Details and patient eligibility

About

The Investigators goal was to study the effect of high flow nasal cannula oxygen (HFNC) on the rate of post-operative pulmonary complications in thoracic surgical patients. The Investigators hypothesis is that prophylactic HFNC oxygen, as compared to standard oxygen treatment, will reduce the incidence of postoperative pulmonary complications, improve post-operative pulmonary function, and reduce Intensive Care Unit (ICU) and hospital length of stay.

Full description

The Investigators goal was to study the effect of high flow nasal cannula oxygen (HFNC) on the rate of post-operative pulmonary complications in thoracic surgical patients. The Investigators hypothesis is that prophylactic HFNC oxygen, as compared to standard oxygen treatment, will reduce the incidence of postoperative pulmonary complications, improve post-operative pulmonary function, and reduce ICU and hospital length of stay.

Enrollment: 51 patients

Sex: All

Ages: 18+ years old

Volunteers: No Healthy Volunteers

Inclusion criteria

• Undergoing Thoracic surgery
• Planned admission to ICU after surgery

Exclusion criteria

• Younger than 18
• Pregnant
• Breast feeding
• Known diagnosis of obstructive sleep apnea
• Current or previous lung transplant
• Pneumonectomy
• Home oxygen greater than 4L/minute
• Inability to adhere to assigned treatment prior to 48 hours of surgery or until transferred to a floor

Trial design

Primary purpose: Prevention

Allocation: Randomized

Interventional model: Parallel Assignment

Masking: None (Open label)

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51 participants in 2 patient groups

Heated humidified high-flow nasal cannula (HHFNC) oxygen

Experimental group

Description:

The intervention group received HHFNC O2 at a set flow of 40L/min. FiO2 was titrated by respiratory therapists to maintain SpO2 ≥ 90%. The HHFNC O2 apparatus included: 1) Air-Oxygen blender - capable of delivering 21-100% FiO2 at flow rates up to 60L/min, 2) Heated Humidifier - providing active heating and humidification to the delivered air-O2 blend, 3) Nasal cannula - larger diameter, slightly elongated nasal cannula with single limb connection to humidifier

Treatment:

Device: Heated humified high-flow nasal cannula Oxygen

Standard oxygen Therapy

Active Comparator group

Description:

The standard O2 treatment group received usual nasal cannula or face mask oxygen titrated by nurses as necessary to maintain SpO2 ≥ 90%.

Treatment:

Other: Standard oxygen therapy