Skip to main content
OpenTrials
Completed

NCT Number: NCT03024112

Impact of Prophylactic High Flow Nasal Oxygen in Post-Operative Thoracic Surgical Patients

The Investigators goal was to study the effect of high flow nasal cannula oxygen (HFNC) on the rate of post-operative pulmonary complications in thoracic surgical patients. The Investigators hypothesis is that prophylactic HFNC oxygen, as compared to standard oxygen treatment, will reduce the incidence of postoperative pulmonary complications, improve post-operative pulmonary function, and reduce Intensive Care Unit (ICU) and hospital length of stay.

Completed

Looking for future studies?

Notify Me

Key information

Conditions

Post-operative Pulmonary Complications

Age range

18 year–100 year

Sex eligibility

All sexes

Study type

Interventional

Phase

Not applicable

Primary location

Unversity of Colorado Hospital

Aurora, Colorado, 80045, United States

About this study

The Investigators goal was to study the effect of high flow nasal cannula oxygen (HFNC) on the rate of post-operative pulmonary complications in thoracic surgical patients. The Investigators hypothesis is that prophylactic HFNC oxygen, as compared to standard oxygen treatment, will reduce the incidence of postoperative pulmonary complications, improve post-operative pulmonary function, and reduce ICU and hospital length of stay.

Who can participate

Healthy volunteers accepted: No

Only the study team can determine whether someone qualifies for participation.

Inclusion criteria

  • Undergoing Thoracic surgery
  • Planned admission to ICU after surgery

Exclusion criteria

  • Younger than 18
  • Pregnant
  • Breast feeding
  • Known diagnosis of obstructive sleep apnea
  • Current or previous lung transplant
  • Pneumonectomy
  • Home oxygen greater than 4L/minute
  • Inability to adhere to assigned treatment prior to 48 hours of surgery or until transferred to a floor

Treatment and study plan

Heated humified high-flow nasal cannula Oxygen

Device

Standard oxygen therapy

Other

Primary outcomes

  1. Number of Participants With Post-operative Pulmonary Complications

    Time frame: 30 days

    The primary outcome "post-operative pulmonary complication" is defined as present if any one of the following criteria are met:

    • SpO2 < 90% with FiO2 ≥ 50%
    • Dyspnea at rest
    • Respiratory rate > 25 breaths/min
    • Active use of accessory respiratory muscles
    • PaO2/FiO2 ratio < 200
    • Escalation of therapy to non-invasive ventilation
    • Re-intubation
    • Occurrence of hospital-acquired pneumonia
    • Re-admission to the ICU

Secondary outcomes

  1. Hospital Length of Stay

    Time frame: 30 days

    length of stay from hospital admission to hospital discharge

  2. Lowest Oxygen Saturation Level Measured

    Time frame: 30 days

    Lowest oxygen saturation level measured during hospitalization from admission to discharge

  3. ICU Length of Stay

    Time frame: 30 days

Sponsors and collaborators

Lead sponsor

University of Colorado, Denver

Other

Registry information

Important dates

Study start
2013
Primary completion
2015
Study completion
2015
First posted
Jan 18, 2017
Registry last updated
Jul 7, 2026

OpenTrials presents study information sourced from ClinicalTrials.gov. The official registry record should be consulted for the latest information.

View the official ClinicalTrials.gov record (opens in a new tab)

This listing is for discovery and informational purposes only. It is not medical advice, does not guarantee that a study is recruiting, and does not determine eligibility. Contact the study team and a qualified healthcare professional when considering participation.

Related clinical trials

Published trials that share one or more normalized conditions with this study.