Abstract

PIRES, Pedro; MARQUES, Carmen  and  MASIP, Josep. High Flow Nasal Cannula: An Alternative Oxygen Therapy in Acute Respiratory Failure. Medicina Interna [online]. 2018, vol.25, n.2, pp.123-133. ISSN 0872-671X.  https://doi.org/10.24950/rspmi/revisao/240/2/2018.

High flow nasal cannula oxygen therapy represents an important alternative in non-invasive ventilatory support for patients with acute respiratory failure. This article aims to review the main physiological effects of the technique and the studies that support its use in diverse underlying conditions. Due to its excellent tolerability and efficacy in cases of hypoxemic respiratory failure, it may become a first-line indication in special situations like pneumonia, in immunocompromised patients, patients with do-not-intubate orders or as an aid in invasive ventilation weaning. Some promising studies have also demonstrated a good clinical response with the use of this technique in patients with respiratory failure from other causes and outside the Intensive Care Unit. Hence, it seems to be a viable alternative to non-invasive ventilation, with potential applicability in a vast group of patients of the Internal Medicine field of action.

Keywords : Cannula; Oxygen Inhalation Therapy; Respiratory Insufficiency.

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