Heliox on the Work of Breathing in Adult Patients With Lower Airway Stenosis

Lower airway stenosis results in increased work of breathing with stridor and dyspnea, as a consequence of the increased resistances caused by the reduction in airway diameter. Airway resistance also depends on the length of the airway and the type of gas flow. Heliox (a mixture of Helium and Oxygen) is a gas less dense than air, which can change the flow from turbulent to laminar, reducing airway resistance by 20 to 40%, and therefore decreasing the work of breathing. Heliox is an inert gas that does not react with biological membranes, so there are few complications associated with its use, the most relevant being hypoxemia when fixed mixtures are not used and the the fraction of inspired oxygen (FiO2) supplied is less than 21%. The aim of the study was to evaluate if during the perioperative period of lower airway stenosis the administration of Heliox compared to oxygen could reduce the work of breathing and improve dyspnea. For this purpose, patients were treated for 30 minutes with Heliox (fixed mixture of 70% helium and 30% oxygen) using a non rebreather mask or reservoir bag versus 30 minutes with oxygen 31% using a Venturi mask.

Inclusion criteria

• Patients with lower airway stenosis evaluated at the Respiratory Endoscopy Unit of the Hospital Universitario 12 de Octubre on the waiting list for endoscopic intervention on stenosis.
• Stenosis grade ≥ 3 and Borg scale score > 2.

Exclusion criteria

• Presence of relevant comorbidities (uncontrolled ischemic heart disease, ventricular dysfunction, pneumopathies with severe respiratory insufficiency, severe pulmonary hypertension).
• Inability to perform the test due to severe dyspnea or need for emergency intervention.
• Patient on continuous mechanical ventilation, invasive or non-invasive.