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Research ArticleOriginal Research

Hygrometric Performances of Different High-Flow Nasal Cannula Devices: Bench Evaluation and Clinical Tolerance

Mathieu Delorme, Pierre-Alexandre Bouchard, Serge Simard and François Lellouche
Respiratory Care November 2021, 66 (11) 1720-1728; DOI: https://doi.org/10.4187/respcare.09085
Mathieu Delorme
Centre de Recherche de l’Institut Universitaire de Cardiologie et de Pneumologie de Québec, Quebec, Canada. Mr Delorme is affiliated with the Université Paris-Saclay, UVSQ, ERPHAN,Versailles, France.
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Pierre-Alexandre Bouchard
Centre de Recherche de l’Institut Universitaire de Cardiologie et de Pneumologie de Québec, Quebec, Canada. Mr Delorme is affiliated with the Université Paris-Saclay, UVSQ, ERPHAN,Versailles, France.
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Serge Simard
Centre de Recherche de l’Institut Universitaire de Cardiologie et de Pneumologie de Québec, Quebec, Canada. Mr Delorme is affiliated with the Université Paris-Saclay, UVSQ, ERPHAN,Versailles, France.
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François Lellouche
Centre de Recherche de l’Institut Universitaire de Cardiologie et de Pneumologie de Québec, Quebec, Canada. Mr Delorme is affiliated with the Université Paris-Saclay, UVSQ, ERPHAN,Versailles, France.
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  • For correspondence: [email protected]
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Abstract

BACKGROUND: High-flow nasal cannula (HFNC) is increasingly used for the management of respiratory failure. Settings include Embedded Image, total gas flow, and temperature target. Resulting absolute humidity (AH) at the nasal cannula may affect clinical tolerance, and optimal settings with respect to hygrometry remain poorly documented.

METHODS: A bench study was designed to assess AH delivered by 4 HFNC devices (Optiflow, Airvo 2, Precision Flow, and Hydrate) according to flow, ambient temperature, and other available settings. Clinical tolerance of different levels of hygrometry (20, 30, and 40 mg H2O/L) was evaluated in 15 healthy volunteers.

RESULTS: With Embedded Image set at 1.0, normal ambient temperature, and settings made accordingly to the manufacturers’ recommendations, mean ± SD AH was 42.2 ± 3.1, 39.5 ± 1.8, 35.7 ± 2.0, and 32.9 ± 2.7 mg H2O/L for the Airvo 2, Optiflow, Hydrate, and Precision Flow, respectively, (P < .001). AH dropped from −3.5 to −10.7 mg H2O/L (P <. 001) with high ambient temperature, except for the Precision Flow. Increasing flow did not significantly affect AH except for the Precision Flow (from 36.4 ± 1.6 to 29.8 ± 0.2 mg H2O/L at 10 and 40 L/min, respectively, [P < .001]). The lowest AH was encountered with the Optiflow set with noninvasive ventilation (NIV) mode, without compensation algorithm, and at high ambient temperature (14.2 ± 1.5 mg H2O/L). In studied subjects, AH significantly affected breathing comfort, reduced from 7.0 ± 1.0 to 3.0 ± 2.0 at 40 and 20 mg H2O/L, respectively, (P < .001). Comfort was similar at 30 and 40 mg H2O/L.

CONCLUSIONS: When used according to manufacturer’s recommendations and at normal ambient temperature, all the HFNC devices evaluated achieved satisfactory hygrometric output with respect to breathing comfort evaluated in healthy subjects (≥ 30 mg H2O/L). Substantial differences exist between devices, and optimal knowledge of their working principles is required as inappropriate usage may dramatically alter efficacy and clinical tolerance.

  • High-flow nasal cannula
  • humidification performances
  • absolute humidity
  • psychrometry
  • breathing comfort

Footnotes

  • Correspondence: François Lellouche MD PhD, Centre de Recherche de l’Institut Universitaire de Cardiologie et de Pneumologie de Québec, 2725, Chemin Sainte-Foy, Québec, Canada G1V4G5. E-mail: francois.lellouche{at}criucpq.ulaval.ca
  • Supplementary material related to this paper is available at http://www.rcjournal.com.

  • Dr Lellouche presented a version of this paper at the European Society of Intensive Care Medicine Congress, held in Berlin, Germany, in 2015, and at the American Thoracic Society Congress, held in San Francisco, California, in 2016.

  • Devices and consumables were provided by Fisher & Paykel Healthcare, Vapotherm, and Hydrate, who had no other involvement in the study. The study was supported by the Groupe de Recherche en Santé Respiratoire de l’Université Laval (GESER).

  • Mr Delorme is a former employee of ResMed SA, which had no involvement in the current study. Dr Lellouche discloses a relationship with Fisher & Paykel Healthcare. The remaining authors have no conflicts to disclose.

  • Copyright © 2021 by Daedalus Enterprises
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Respiratory Care: 66 (11)
Respiratory Care
Vol. 66, Issue 11
1 Nov 2021
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Hygrometric Performances of Different High-Flow Nasal Cannula Devices: Bench Evaluation and Clinical Tolerance
Mathieu Delorme, Pierre-Alexandre Bouchard, Serge Simard, François Lellouche
Respiratory Care Nov 2021, 66 (11) 1720-1728; DOI: 10.4187/respcare.09085

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Hygrometric Performances of Different High-Flow Nasal Cannula Devices: Bench Evaluation and Clinical Tolerance
Mathieu Delorme, Pierre-Alexandre Bouchard, Serge Simard, François Lellouche
Respiratory Care Nov 2021, 66 (11) 1720-1728; DOI: 10.4187/respcare.09085
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Keywords

  • high-flow nasal cannula
  • humidification performances
  • absolute humidity
  • psychrometry
  • breathing comfort

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