High-flow oxygen therapy

High-flow oxygen therapy (HFOT)

High-flow oxygen therapy is a form of respiratory support used in the hospital where oxygen, often in conjunction with compressed air and humidification, is delivered to a patient at rates of flow higher than that delivered in traditional oxygen therapy. (Traditional oxygen therapy is up to 16 L/min, while HFOT is up to 60 L/min.1)

Positive effects of HFOT

With its warm, humidified constant flow, HFOT improves gas exchange and reduces the work of breathing.^1,2 Other positive effects of HFOT with humidification include:

Reduces respiratory rate
Keeps mucus more fluid and aids airway recovery (e.g., after surgery)
Requires a low level of patient compliance (sedation possible but not needed)

Helps reduce dyspnea (labored breathing or shortness of breath/breathlessness) and mouth dryness, while improving overall comfort
Offers comfort, ease of use and ease of communication to patients

HFOT is commonly used on patients with acute respiratory failure (i.e., hypoxemic respiratory failure). In the hospital setting, these patients are usually in ICU or high dependency wards, requiring assistance with respiration to stabilize breathing and control blood gases.

Humidified HFOT has also been used successfully in the treatment of chronic conditions like COPD, bronchiectasis and end-stage cancer, as well as with do-not-intubate patients.²

Resmed AcuCare™ high-flow nasal cannula

The AcuCare high-flow nasal cannula provides high-flow oxygen therapy for adult patients with acute respiratory failure. It is designed to deliver continuous oxygen therapy up to a maximum flow of 60 L/min.

Designed for single-patient use (maximum seven days) in the hospital/clinical environment, AcuCare has been designed to provide superior comfort and ease of use to patients requiring HFOT.