Airway Pressure During Humidified High Flow Nasal Cannula Therapy in Children

Background: Respiratory failure is one of the most common reasons for admission to the Pediatric Critical Care Unit (PCCU). 17% of children admitted to a PCCU require some form of invasive or non-invasive mechanical respiratory support. HHFNC therapy was first introduced in early 2000 and hence is a relatively new mode of respiratory support. One of the proposed mechanisms of action of HHFNC is by providing airway positive pressure hence considered as non-invasive mode of ventilation in pediatrics. However, the actual amount of positive airway pressure that HHFNC provides at increasing flow rates has not been well studied in children.

Objectives: The investigators' objectives are to measure the positive airway pressure delivered with increasing HHFNC flow rates in children, and to evaluate the variables that may influence the delivery of positive airway pressure during HHFNC.

Methods & Design: This is an observational cohort study which will be conducted at McMaster children's hospital, pediatric critical care unit (PCCU). Children under 18 years of age, admitted to PCCU, who require respiratory support by HHFNC, as determined by the caring physician; and informed consent and or assent of substitute decision maker. Those children must have NG tube of size 10 French or smaller inserted at time of HHFNC application. Patients who are on intermittent NGT suction will be excluded. Airway pressure will be measured indirectly using esophageal pressure liquid filled method.

Data Analysis Baseline demographics will be summarized using counts (%) for categorical variables, and mean (standard deviation) or median and interquartile range (IQR) as appropriate for continuous variables. Estimates of the pressure will be reported as mean (95% confidence interval [CI]). Relationship of pressure to delivered flow will be analysed using analysis of variance. Regression methods will be used to determine if the following factors delivered flow per weight of patient, patient size, disease severity, work of breathing and nasal cannula: nares diameter ratio are associated with air pressure

Inclusion criteria

• Aged less than 18 years, admitted to PCCU with acute respiratory distress.
• HHFNC respiratory support prescribed by the caring physician.
• Requirement for a size 10 French or smaller nasogastric (NG) or orogastric (OG) tube, as prescribed by the caring physician.
• Informed consent, and/- or assent where appropriate.

Exclusion criteria

• Continuous or intermittent NG or OG tube suction is required.