Respiratory Variability in Patients With Acute Hypoxemic Respiratory Failure and Placed on High Flow Oxygen Therapy

Recommendations from the European Respiratory Society are to use high-flow oxygen therapy rather than conventional oxygen therapy and non-invasive ventilation (NIV) in cases of acute hypoxaemic respiratory failure. Studies have shown that high-flow oxygen therapy can reduce the need for intubation and the initiation of NIV without reducing mortality. In addition, by improving oxygenation, high-flow oxygen therapy can create a feeling of security which may delay endotracheal intubation. Two studies have suggested that mortality is higher in patients receiving delayed intubation (≥ 48 hours) after failure of high flow oxygen therapy. Another study suggests that delayed endotracheal intubation after high-flow oxygen therapy ≥ 48 hours increases the risk of patient mortality independently of comorbidities and severity of illness on admission. Finally, other results suggest that the increas