The Acute Respiratory Intervention StudiEs in Africa (ARISE-AFRICA) Study

The care for the critically ill patient typically takes place in the intensive care unit (ICU). ICU care is quite expensive, even in resource rich countries. The most common reason for ICU admission globally is respiratory support for acute hypoxemic respiratory failure (AHRF). In patients with AHRF, the need for invasive mechanical ventilation is associated with high mortality, especially in low income countries (LICs), given the scarce availability of invasive mechanical ventilation. Some studies suggest that administration of ventilatory support through a mask may be effective in resource-limited settings. However, there is no clinical study data in adults to support this evidence. Human and material constraints are major barriers for the care of critically-ill patients in resource limited settings , advocating the need for a frugal approach. Furthermore, the scarcity of intensive care unit care in LICs contributes to a high mortality among acutely ill patients. The current corona virus pandemic has further highlighted the need for frugal acute care interventions in LICs.

Continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) is a simple to use and affordable technique for noninvasive ventilatory support. High-flow oxygen through a nasal cannula (HFNC) may also offer an alternative in patients with hypoxemia. The high flow rates may also decrease physiological dead space by flushing expired carbon dioxide from the upper airway, a process that potentially explains the observed decrease in the work of breathing.

Frugal CPAP or HFNC , as compared with standard oxygen therapy, could reduce the mortality among adults presenting with AHRF in a resource-limited setting.

Inclusion criteria

• De novo acute respiratory distress, as defined by dyspnea, use of accessory respiratory muscles, and a respiratory rate of 25 breaths per minute or more,
• Hypoxemia, as defined by a ratio of the partial pressure of arterial oxygen (PaO2) to the fraction of inspired oxygen (FiO2) of less than 300 mm Hg or a oxygen saturation by pulse oximetry SpO2/FiO2 ratio <315 will be considered for inclusion
• Informed consent obtained in accordance with local regulations;

Exclusion criteria

• Exacerbation of asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease or another known or suspected chronic respiratory disease;
• Absolute contraindications to CPAP or HFNC
• Cardiac arrest; severe ventricular arrhythmia; shock defined by the need for vasopressors (dopamine > 5 microg/kg/min or adrenaline or noradrenaline at any dose)
• Altered consciousness (Coma Glasgow Score below 12 points);
• Do not intubate order, do not resuscitate order, or decision to limit full care taken before obtaining informed consent;
• Refusal to participate, prior enrolment in the trial, participation in another interventional study on respiratory distress;