Journal of Anesthesia, Analgesia and Critical Care (May 2022)

Difference in PaO2/FiO2 between high-flow nasal cannula and Venturi mask in hypoxemic COVID-19 patients

  • Ilenia Gatto,
  • Emanuela Biagioni,
  • Irene Coloretti,
  • Serena Viappiani,
  • Stefano Busani,
  • Massimo Girardis

DOI
https://doi.org/10.1186/s44158-022-00051-w
Journal volume & issue
Vol. 2, no. 1
pp. 1 – 3

Abstract

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Abstract The ratio between arterial blood partial pressure of oxygen and fraction of inspired oxygen (PaO2/FiO2) was largely used for grading and managing the respiratory failure in non-mechanically ventilated COVID-19. In these patients, the assessment of the true FiO2 in the inspired mixture may be difficult with consequent inaccuracies in PaO2/FiO2 assessment. In 30 severe COVID-19 patients, we observed that PaO2/FiO2 values measured immediately before and after the transition from high-flow nasal cannula (HFNC) to one commercially available Venturi mask O2 therapy were similar (bias mean value 0, standard deviation 23 mmHg). In COVID-19 patients recovering from respiratory failure, PaO2/FiO2 is not different whether measured with a commercially available Venturi mask or HFNC.

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