Noninvasive ventilation (NIV) Vs High-flow nasal cannula (HFNC) which one is suitable for treating COVID-19 ICU Patients in a tertiary care Hospital, Dhaka, Bangladesh

Abstract

Background: The use of Noninvasive ventilation (NIV) and high-flow nasal cannula (HFNC) inpatients with COVID-19 is debated.

Objective: Aim of this studywas to evaluate the usefulness of noninvasive ventilation (NIV) andhigh-flow nasal cannula (HFNC) for treating covid-19 positive critically ill patients in ICU.

Methods: This retrospective observational study was carried out at the department of Anesthesia,Analgesia and Intensive Care Medicine, Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Medical University, Dhaka on230 patients in the period between August 2020 to July 2021.

Results: study population was divided into two groups. 120 patients receive NIV and 110 patients wereprimarily treated with HNFC. In terms of baseline characteristics, laboratory tests, arterial bloodgases, PaO2/FiO2 values, and vital signs, there was no significant difference between the two groups.The respiratory rate, heart rate, and oxygenation parameters were all significantly improved following24 hours of therapy with either NIV or HFNC. The difference in the amount of improvement in vitalsigns and oxygenation between patients who used NIV and those who used HFNC was not significant.The NIV success rate was 40.4%, while the rate of invasive mechanical ventilation was 20.53% Thesuccess rate of HFNC was 38.62%, with 21.81%. of patients requiring invasive mechanical ventilation.

Conclusion: COVID-19-related acute hypoxemic respiratory failure can be treated with NIV orhigh-flow nasal cannula (HFNC). We recommend NIV because it is more available in our country, lessexpensive and require less amount of oxygen to run the machine than HFNC.

JBSA 2022; 35 (1) : 30-36