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  • Original Article
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High-flow nasal cannula as a device to provide continuous positive airway pressure in infants

Abstract

Objective:

To measure the intrapharyngeal pressure (IPP) generated by high-flow nasal cannula (HFNC) at varying flow rates up to 5 l min−1.

Study Design:

We studied 14 infants on HFNC or NCPAP using IPP manometry to measure the IPP generated at flows of 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5 l min−1.

Result:

On average flow rates of 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5 l min−1 generated an IPP (cm of H2O) of 1.70±0.34, 1.75±0.2, 2.62±0.28, 3.78±0.44 and 4.84±0.51 respectively.

Conclusion:

HFNC delivers significant IPP and is potentially a well-tolerated and viable option to provide CPAP at flows of 3 min−1 in infants with respiratory distress.

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Acknowledgements

We would like to thank Jingnan Mao, MS, a biostatistician for her assistance with the statistical analysis and graphing, and Viasys and Lisa Herbig, BS, RRT, former manager of Respiratory Care Services at SLCH, now consultant with Viasys, for providing the ventilator, tracheal catheters and the expertise.

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Correspondence to K L Spence.

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Spence, K., Murphy, D., Kilian, C. et al. High-flow nasal cannula as a device to provide continuous positive airway pressure in infants. J Perinatol 27, 772–775 (2007). https://doi.org/10.1038/sj.jp.7211828

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/sj.jp.7211828

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