R.E.B.E.L.EM - August 23, 2018 - By Thomas Lettich
"The use of heated and humidified high flow nasal cannula has become increasing popular in the treatment of patients with acute respiratory failure through all age groups. In part 1 we summarized how High Flow Nasal Cannula (HFNC) works. In part 2, we will discuss the main indications for its use in adult and pediatric patients..."
Practical Tips For High Flow Use:
- Most of the benefits are from the high flow rates (of course the heating & humidification of gas is significant), SO OPTIMIZE THE FLOW TO START!!!
- Adult devices max out at 50-60 L/Min (max it out to start) and the dose for pediatric patient’s (based on trials) is 2L/Kg/Min
- Maximize your devices flow rate initially and wean the fi02 to maintain your oxygen saturation goal (patients typically don’t need to be left on 100%)
- Barely maintaining saturations on fi02 >60% is failing to me!!!
- If HFNC is going to be successful, then optimize the flow initially!"