Can High-Flow Nasal Cannula Oxygen Therapy Improve Respiratory Status in Hospitalized Patients With COVID-19?

Abstract

Introduction: High-flow nasal cannula (HFNC) is an oxygen delivery procedure for patients with respiratory disorders. The role of this oxygen therapy system in the treatment of patients with COVID-19 has not been conclusively proven. The present study evaluated the efficacy and success of HFNC in improving the clinical condition of patients with COVID-19.Methods: The statistical population of this cross-sectional study was hypoxemic patients with the COVID-19 disease. The findings of the study were obtained by reviewing patients’ records and extracting information from the hospital information system.Results: A total of 29 patients with moderate to severe COVID-19 were analyzed. Comparison of the results of blood gas analysis of these patients showed that the use of HFNC did not make a significant difference in pH (P = 0.063), PaCO2 (P = 0.135), O2sat (P = 0.999), and HCO3 (P = 0.717).Conclusion: Our study showed that the use of HFNC did not make a significant difference in respiratory parameters and the results of blood gas analysis in patients with COVID-19.

Keywords

• covid-19
• high-flow nasal cannula (hfnc)
• oxygen therapy