A Multicentre, Randomized, Clinical Trial of Respiratory Support With Standard Low Flow Oxygen Therapy, Continuous Positive Airway Pressure, and High-flow Oxygen Therapy in Adults With Acute Hypoxemic Respiratory Failure in Uganda

The care for the critically ill patient typically takes place in the intensive care unit (ICU). ICU care is quite expensive, even in resource rich countries. The most common reason for ICU admission globally is respiratory support for acute hypoxemic respiratory failure (AHRF). In patients with AHRF, the need for invasive mechanical ventilation is associated with high mortality, especially in low income countries (LICs), given the scarce availability of invasive mechanical ventilation. Some studies suggest that administration of ventilatory support through a mask may be effective in resource-limited settings. However, there is no clinical study data in adults to support this evidence. Human and material constraints are major barriers for the care of critically-ill patients in resource limited settings , advocating the need for a frugal approach. Furthermore, the scarcity of intensive care unit care in LICs contributes to a high mortality among acutely ill patients. The current corona virus pandemic has further highlighted the need for frugal acute care interventions in LICs.

Continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) is a simple to use and affordable technique for noninvasive ventilatory support. High-flow oxygen through a nasal cannula (HFNC) may also offer an alternative in patients with hypoxemia. The high flow rates may also decrease physiological dead space by flushing expired carbon dioxide from the upper airway, a process that potentially explains the observed decrease in the work of breathing.

Frugal CPAP or HFNC , as compared with standard oxygen therapy, could reduce the mortality among adults presenting with AHRF in a resource-limited setting.