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Clinical Trials/NCT07536477
NCT07536477
Not yet recruiting
Not Applicable

High-flow Nasal Cannula Oxygen Therapy Versus Conventional Oxygen Therapy in Patients With High-altitude Pulmonary Edema: A Prospective Randomized Controlled Study

Third Military Medical University1 site in 1 country200 target enrollmentStarted: April 22, 2026Last updated:

Overview

Phase
Not Applicable
Status
Not yet recruiting
Enrollment
200
Locations
1
Primary Endpoint
Time to weaning off supplemental oxygen

Overview

Brief Summary

This study aims to evaluate whether High-flow Nasal Cannula Oxygen Therapy (HFNC) provides superior respiratory support compared to Conventional Oxygen Therapy (COT) in patients with High-Altitude Pulmonary Edema (HAPE).

Detailed Description

Conventional Oxygen Therapy (COT) is the established first-line treatment for High-Altitude Pulmonary Edema (HAPE). Despite the proven efficacy of High-flow Nasal Cannula (HFNC) in treating other forms of acute respiratory failure and pulmonary edema, its clinical role in the context of HAPE remains poorly defined. To address this gap, the investigators conducted a study comparing the efficacy of HFNC versus COT in providing respiratory support and accelerating clinical recovery for patients with HAPE.

Study Design

Study Type
Interventional
Allocation
Randomized
Intervention Model
Parallel
Primary Purpose
Treatment
Masking
Single (Outcomes Assessor)

Eligibility Criteria

Ages
18 Years to — (Adult, Older Adult)
Sex
All
Accepts Healthy Volunteers
No

Inclusion Criteria

  • Aged 18 years or older;
  • Onset of symptoms related to HAPE (including dyspnea at rest, cough, or exercise intolerance) within 7 days of ascending to high altitude (≥2500m);
  • Diagnosis of HAPE according to the STAR data reporting guidelines, requiring at least two symptoms (dyspnea at rest, cough, weakness/decreased exercise performance, or chest tightness/congestion) and two clinical signs (rales or wheezing in at least one lung field, central cyanosis, tachypnea, or tachycardia);
  • Radiographic evidence of pulmonary edema on chest X-ray or CT;
  • Refusal or inability to undergo immediate descent at the time of presentation;
  • Capability and willingness to provide written informed consent.

Exclusion Criteria

  • Known or clinically confirmed pregnancy;
  • Requirement for emergency intubation (as assessed by the treating clinician) due to cardiac/respiratory arrest, hemodynamic instability, airway compromise, severe hypoxia, or impaired consciousness, etc;
  • Pulmonary edema or hypoxemia resulting from other medical conditions (e.g., cardiogenic pulmonary edema, sepsis, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), pneumothorax, massive pleural effusion, chest trauma, etc.);
  • Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS) score ≤ 12;
  • PaCO₂ \> 55 mmHg;
  • Presence of high-altitude cerebral edema;
  • Receipt of any respiratory support therapy (other than conventional oxygen therapy) prior to admission;
  • Presence of any contraindication to conventional or nasal oxygen therapy;
  • Presence of severe medical conditions or abnormal clinical laboratory findings that, in the investigator's judgment, may pose a risk to the patient's safety or interfere with the study's execution and participant completion;
  • Current participation in other clinical trials;

Arms & Interventions

Intervention Group

Experimental

High-flow Nasal Cannula Oxygen Therapy (HFNC) plus standard medical management

Intervention: High-flow Nasal Cannula Oxygen Therapy (HFNC) (Device)

Control Group

No Intervention

Conventional Oxygen Therapy (COT) plus standard medical management

Outcomes

Primary Outcomes

Time to weaning off supplemental oxygen

Time Frame: From date of randomization to oxygen therapy completion (oxygen weaning), an average of 3-5 days.

Hours from randomization to successful weaning to room air.

Secondary Outcomes

  • Proportion of treatment failure(From date of randomization until the time of first documented treatment failure from any cause, assessed up to about 7 days.)
  • The Net change in Lung CT Severity Score(Day 3)
  • Evolvement of SpO2(From enrollment to treatment completion, an average of 3-5 days.)
  • Incidence of oxygen therapy-related complications(From randomization to discharge, assessed up to about 7 days.)

Investigators

Sponsor Class
Other
Responsible Party
Principal Investigator
Principal Investigator

Ye Fan

Principal Investigator

Third Military Medical University

Study Sites (1)

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