Effects of CPAP and FiO(2) on respiratory effort and lung stress in early COVID-19 pneumonia: a randomized, crossover study

BACKGROUND: in COVID-19 acute respiratory failure, the effects of CPAP and FiO(2) on respiratory effort and lung stress are unclear. We hypothesize that, in the compliant lungs of early Sars-CoV-2 pneumonia, the application of positive pressure through Helmet-CPAP may not decrease respiratory effort, and rather worsen lung stress and oxygenation when compared to higher FiO(2) delivered via oxygen masks. METHODS: In this single-center (S.Luigi Gonzaga University-Hospital, Turin, Italy), randomized, crossover study, we included patients receiving Helmet-CPAP for early (< 48 h) COVID-19 pneumonia without additional cardiac or respiratory disease. Healthy subjects were included as controls. Participants were equipped with an esophageal catheter, a non-invasive cardiac output monitor, and an arterial catheter. The protocol consisted of a random sequence of non-rebreather mask (NRB), Helmet-CPAP (with variable positive pressure and FiO(2)) and Venturi mask (FiO(2) 0.5), each delivered for 20 min. Study outcomes were changes in respiratory effort (esophageal swing), total lung stress (dynamic + static transpulmonary pressure), gas-exchange and hemodynamics. RESULTS: We enrolled 28 COVID-19 patients and 7 healthy controls. In all patients, respiratory effort increased from NRB to Helmet-CPAP (5.0 ± 3.7 vs 8.3 ± 3.9 cmH(2)O, p < 0.01). However, Helmet’s pressure decreased by a comparable amount during inspiration (− 3.1 ± 1.0 cmH(2)O, p = 0.16), therefore dynamic stress remained stable (p = 0.97). Changes in static and total lung stress from NRB to Helmet-CPAP were overall not significant (p = 0.07 and p = 0.09, respectively), but showed high interpatient variability, ranging from − 4.5 to + 6.1 cmH(2)O, and from − 5.8 to + 5.7 cmH(2)O, respectively. All findings were confirmed in healthy subjects, except for an increase in dynamic stress (p < 0.01). PaO(2) decreased from NRB to Helmet-CPAP with FiO(2) 0.5 (107 ± 55 vs 86 ± 30 mmHg, p < 0.01), irrespective of positive pressure levels (p = 0.64). Conversely, with Helmet’s FiO(2) 0.9, PaO(2) increased (p < 0.01), but oxygen delivery remained stable (p = 0.48) as cardiac output decreased (p = 0.02). When PaO(2) fell below 60 mmHg with VM, respiratory effort increased proportionally (p < 0.01, r = 0.81). CONCLUSIONS: In early COVID-19 pneumonia, Helmet-CPAP increases respiratory effort without altering dynamic stress, while the effects upon static and total stress are variable, requiring individual assessment. Oxygen masks with higher FiO(2) provide better oxygenation with lower respiratory effort. Trial registration Retrospectively registered (13-May-2021): clinicaltrials.gov (NCT04885517), https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT04885517. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s13613-023-01202-0.