Introduction:Patients with COVID-19 with severe respiratory disease may require non-invasive ventilation (NIV) devices, and selection should consider the greatest ability to reduce coronavirus-sized particles aerosolization. The objective of this study was to characterize the aerosolization of coronavirus-sized particles using different oxygen delivery systems.
Methods:To simulate real-life clinical scenarios, a surrogate head with adult morphology within an airtight containment box reproduced Nasalonly (N) and Nasal/Oral (N/O) Normal Breathing as well as Coughing for six respiratory support devices: SuperNO2VA with and without HEPA filter; High-Flow Nasal Cannula (HFNC); Non-Rebreather; NV-NIV Mask, both single-and dual-limb; and no device.Results: Fit Factor between devices significantly differed (P<0.0001) but not between Normal Breathing and Coughing (P=0.15). SuperNO2VA with HEPA (N) and NV-NIV Mask with single-limb circuit each had significantly larger FF compared to all other devices (P<0.005). SuperNO2VA without HEPA (N), Non-Rebreather, and NV-NIV Mask with dual-limb circuit had no significant differences between FFs (P=1.0). SuperNO2VA with HEPA (N/O), SuperNO2VA without HEPA (N/O), and HFNC had significantly lower FF than other devices (P<0.05).
Conclusion:This model demonstrated in NIV settings the most important factor for minimizing particle spread is a strong mask seal. The SuperNO2VA device offered the strongest mask seal among those tested but, remains ineffective at trapping particles during oral breathing or coughing. Use of SuperNO2VA with a surgical mask can be safely used on patients with COVID-19 with no further risk of transmission.