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Effects of Treatment With High Flow Nasal Cannulas on Respiratory Pattern and Work of Breathing Among Healthy Subjects

Not Applicable
Conditions
Respiratory Failure
Interventions
Device: High flow nasal cannulas
Device: Conventional flow via nasal prongs
Registration Number
NCT02495675
Lead Sponsor
Laval University
Brief Summary

This study evaluates the work of breathing among healthy subjects under various conditions of treatment with high flow nasal cannulas. Ten subjects will be included. The design of this study is a cross over of five treatment periods with different flow settings.

Detailed Description

High flow oxygen therapy (HFOT) is a promising technique increasingly used in the management of acute respiratory failure. In hospitalised hypoxemic patients, recent clinical evidence showed that HFOT can reduce endotracheal intubation and reduce mortality. Physiologically, the HFOT causes a decrease in respiratory rate and minute-ventilation and may be associated with a decrease in carbone dioxyde arterial pressure. It is possible that these effects are associated with decreased work of breathing, which could explain some of the benefits in terms of comfort and efficiency.

The objective of this research is to evaluate the impact of a wash-out of anatomical dead space by high flow nasal cannulas on respiratory parameters and on the work of breathing among healthy subjects. The investigators will evaluate the baseline status in room air, and then compare it with four different levels of flow. The primary endpoint will be the work of breathing.

Recruitment & Eligibility

Status
UNKNOWN
Sex
All
Target Recruitment
10
Inclusion Criteria
  • Healthy subjects
  • Written and informed consent
Exclusion Criteria
  • Pregnant or breastfeeding women;
  • Subject enrolled in another study excluding co-enrolment;
  • Cardio-vascular or respiratory disease;
  • History of ear nose and throat disease (i.e. surgery, epistaxis, trauma), eso-gastric disease (i.e. esophageal varices, digestive haemorrhage), rheumatologic or neurologic disease possibly interfering with the design of the study;
  • Subject feeling nauseous or under recent fed condition (<1h).

Study & Design

Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Study Design
CROSSOVER
Arm && Interventions
GroupInterventionDescription
High flow nasal cannulas 20 L/minHigh flow nasal cannulasSubjects will be breathing with high flow nasal cannulas delivering 20 L/min with an inspired fraction of oxygen of 0.21.
Conventional flow via nasal prongsConventional flow via nasal prongsSubjects will be breathing with nasal prongs delivering 5 L/min of air (inspired fraction of oxygen: 0.21)
High flow nasal cannulas 60 L/minHigh flow nasal cannulasSubjects will be breathing with high flow nasal cannulas delivering 60 L/min with an inspired fraction of oxygen of 0.21.
High flow nasal cannulas 40 L/minHigh flow nasal cannulasSubjects will be breathing with high flow nasal cannulas delivering 40 L/min with an inspired fraction of oxygen of 0.21.
Primary Outcome Measures
NameTimeMethod
Work of breathing10 minutes

Work of breathing at the end of each period is calculated from the measurement of esophageal pressure and tidal volume (composite outcome).

Secondary Outcome Measures
NameTimeMethod
Blood gases10 minutes

Arterial or capillary blood gases at the end of each period

Comfort of breathing10 minutes

Subjective evaluation at the end of each period

Tidal Volume10 minutes

Measured at the end of each period

End-tidal carbon dioxide10 minutes

Measured at the end of each period

Dyspnea10 minutes

Evaluation on a borg scale at the end of each period

Respiratory Rate10 minutes

Measured at the end of each period

Oxygen saturation10 minutes

Measured at the end of each period

Esophageal pressure-time product10 minutes

Measured at the end of each period

Heart rate10 minutes

Measured at the end of each period

Trial Locations

Locations (1)

Centre de Recherche de l'IUCPQ

🇨🇦

Québec, Quebec, Canada

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