The Physiological Effect of High Flow Oxygen Therapy

The Physiological Effect of High Flow Oxygen Therapy on Acute Exacerbation of Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease

Although non-invasive positive pressure ventilation (NPPV) shows the good curative effect of treating the patients with acute exacerbation of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (AECOPD), some patients do not tolerate NPPV or do not benefit from it. High-flow nasal cannula (HFNC) is well tolerated and may be used to patients with AECOPD who are intolerant to NPPV treatment. This study is to evaluate the physiological effect of HFNC and compare it with NPPV.

Inclusion Criteria:

• AECOPD patients with acute hypercapnic respiratory failure

Exclusion Criteria:

• other lung/pleural diseases or thoracic deformity
• severe heart failure (New York Heart Association class IV), severe dysrhythmia
• unstable angina, or malignant comorbidity
• obesity (BMI ≥ 35 kg/m²)
• severe obstructive sleep apnea syndrome