BACKGROUND:The aim of this study was to evaluate the clinical efficacy of humidified oxygen via high-flow nasal cannula (HFNC) alternating with noninvasive ventilation (NIV) in acute hypoxemic respiratory failure (AHRF). METHODS: We performed a prospective observational study in a 12-bed ICU of a university hospital. All subjects with a P aO 2 /F IO 2 of < 300 mm Hg with standard mask oxygen and a breathing frequency of > 30 breaths/min or signs of respiratory distress were included and treated with HFNC first and then NIV. Ventilatory parameters, blood gases, and tolerance were recorded during 2 consecutive sessions of NIV and HFNC. Outcome was assessed after continuation of this noninvasive strategy. RESULTS: Twenty-eight subjects with AHRF were studied, including 23 (82%) with ARDS. Compared with standard oxygen therapy, P aO 2 significantly increased from 83 (68 -97) mm Hg to 108 (83-140) mm Hg using HFNC and to 125 (97-200) mm Hg using NIV (P < .01), whereas breathing frequency significantly decreased. HFNC was significantly better tolerated than NIV, with a lower score on the visual analog scale. The nonintubated subjects received HFNC for 75 (27-127) h and NIV for 23 (8 -31) h. Intubation was required in 10 of 28 subjects (36%), including 8 of 23 subjects with ARDS (35%). After HFNC initiation, a breathing frequency of > 30 breaths/min was an early factor associated with intubation. CONCLUSIONS: HFNC was better tolerated than NIV and allowed for significant improvement in oxygenation and tachypnea compared with standard oxygen therapy in subjects with AHRF, a large majority of whom had ARDS. Thus, HFNC may be used between NIV sessions to avoid marked impairment of oxygenation. Key words: acute respiratory failure; acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS); noninvasive ventilation; nasal high-flow oxygen therapy; intensive care unit (ICU). [Respir Care 2015;60(2):170 -178.

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