MedPath

Helmet Noninvasive Ventilation vs. High-flow Nasal Cannula in Moderate-to-severe Acute Hypoxemic Respiratory Failure

Not Applicable
Completed
Conditions
Respiratory Failure With Hypoxia
Interventions
Device: Noninvasive respiratory support
Registration Number
NCT04502576
Lead Sponsor
Fondazione Policlinico Universitario Agostino Gemelli IRCCS
Brief Summary

Helmet noninvasive ventilation and high-flow nasal cannula are novel tools for the first-line treatment of acute hypoxemic respiratory failure. Compared to face-mask noninvasive ventilation in randomized trials, both have improved clinical outcome of patients with moderate-to-severe hypoxemic respiratory failure.

As compared to high-flow nasal cannula, helmet noninvasive ventilation improves oxygenation, reduces inspiratory effort, respiratory rate and dyspnea. Whether these physiological benefits are translated into improved outcome remains to be established.

The investigators designed a randomized trial to establish whether first line treatment with Helmet noninvasive ventilation is capable of increasing the number of 28-day respiratory-support-free days, as compared to high-flow nasal cannula in patients with moderate-to-severe acute hypoxemic respiratory failure.

Detailed Description

Not available

Recruitment & Eligibility

Status
COMPLETED
Sex
All
Target Recruitment
110
Inclusion Criteria

Acute-onset respiratory distress or flue-related symptoms Moderate-to-severe hypoxemia (PaO2/FiO2<=200 mmHg) PaCO2<45 mmHg pH>7.30

Exclusion Criteria

Need for urgent endo-tracheal intubation Exacerbation of asthma or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease Documented pneumothorax Clinical diagnosis of Cardiogenic pulmonary oedema Do-not-intubate order Altered neurological status that requires immediate intubation and/or making the patient uncooperative Thoracic or abdominal surgery in the previous 7 days Recent head surgery or anatomy that prevent the application of helmet or Optiflow to patient's face

Study & Design

Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Study Design
PARALLEL
Arm && Interventions
GroupInterventionDescription
High-flow nasal cannulaNoninvasive respiratory supportHigh-flow nasal cannula will be delivered with the Optiflow system. Initial set flow will be ≥ 50 /min and flows will be decreased in case of intolerance and/or according to patients' requirements: flows≥30 L/min will be mandatory in all enrolled patients. Humidification chamber (MR860, Fisher and Paykel healthcare, New Zealand) will be set at 37 °C or 34 °C according to patient's comfort. FiO2 will be titrated to obtain an SpO2≥92% and ≤98%. The treatment according to the assigned protocol will be continued until the patient requires endotracheal intubation or (in case of no intubation) up to ICU discharge. Weaning from high-flow will be considered as standardized criteria are met.
Helmet noninvasive ventilationNoninvasive respiratory supportPatients will receive continuous helmet pressure support ventilation for at least 16 hours/day the first 2 calendar days. Continuous noninvasive ventilation without interruptions will be strongly encouraged in the first 24 hours of treatment. The ventilator will be set in pressure support mode. Use of continuous positive airway pressure by flow generators and Venturi systems instead of pressure support ventilation will be allowed in case of shortage of ventilators. Maintenance of positive end-expiratory pressure ≥ 8-10 during the treatment is mandatory. After weaning and during any interruption from noninvasive ventilation, patients will undergo low-flow or high-flow oxygen, according to the decision of the attending physician. The treatment according to the assigned protocol will be continued until the patient requires endotracheal intubation or (in case of no intubation) up to ICU discharge.
Primary Outcome Measures
NameTimeMethod
Respiratory-support free days within 28 days from randomization28 days

The number of days in which patients did not receive any form of respiratory support (i.e. high-flow nasal cannula, noninvasive ventilation, invasive mechanical ventilation)

Secondary Outcome Measures
NameTimeMethod
In-intensive care unit mortality90 days

Clinical outcome (dead/alive) at intensive care unit discharge

Quality of life after recovery1 year

Quality of life in survivors, assessed by Short Form-36 questionnaire

Respiratory rate28 days

Respiratory rate will be measured 1, 6, 12, 24 hours after randomization and then once daily up to intensive care unit discharge

In-hospital mortality90 days

Clinical outcome (dead/alive) at hospital discharge

Invasive ventilation-free days within 60 days from randomization60 days

The number of days in which patients did not receive invasive mechanical ventilation

Oxygenation28 days

The ratio of PaO2 to FiO2 will be measured 1, 6, 12, 24 hours after randomization and then once daily up to intensive care unit discharge

Dyspnea28 days

Dyspnea will be evaluated through a visual analog scale (0-10, where 10 represents the most sever symptom) will be measured 1, 6, 12, 24 hours after randomization and then once daily up to intensive care unit discharge

Endotracheal intubation28 days

The proportion of patients requiring endotracheal intubation in the two groups. The need for endotracheal intubation will be established with predefined criteria, which will be evaluated a posteriori by an independent adjudication committee

Invasive ventilation-free days within 28 days from randomization28 days

The number of days in which patients did not receive invasive mechanical ventilation

Carbon dioxide28 days

PaCO2 will be measured 1, 6, 12, 24 hours after randomization and then once daily up to intensive care unit discharge

90-day mortality90 days

Clinical outcome (dead/alive) at 90 days after randomization

Trial Locations

Locations (5)

SS. Annunziata Hospital, Gabriele d'Annunzio University of Chieti-Pescara

🇮🇹

Chieti, Italy

Policlinico di Sant'Orsola, Alma Mater Studiorum-Università di Bologna

🇮🇹

Bologna, Italy

Azienda Ospedaliera-Universitaria Arcispedale Sant'Anna, University of Ferrara

🇮🇹

Ferrara, Italy

Fondazione Policlinico Universitaro A. Gemelli IRCCS

🇮🇹

Rome, Italy

Infermi Hospital

🇮🇹

Rimini, Italy

© Copyright 2025. All Rights Reserved by MedPath