Factors influencing nasal airway pressure and comfort in high-flow nasal cannula oxygen therapy: a volunteer study

BACKGROUND: High-flow nasal cannula (HFNC) oxygen therapy is essentially a constant-flow, noninvasive respiratory support system similar to a noninvasive ventilator operating in constant-flow mode. The clinical outcome of HFNC oxygen therapy is strongly associated with the pressure generated by high-flow gas and the patient’s comfort level. This study was performed to explore the relevant factors affecting pressure and comfort of HFNC oxygen therapy in vivo. METHODS: Thirty-five healthy volunteers were enrolled in the trial. They underwent placement of nasal cannulas of various inner diameters (3, 4 or 5 mm) and treatment with different HFNC devices [HFT-300 (Weishengkang Medical Technology Co., Ltd., Jiangsu China) or H-80 M (BMC Medical Co., Ltd., Beijing China)],and the nasal airway pressure and comfort were assessed. Multiple linear regression was used to determine predictors of airway pressure. RESULTS: Multiple linear regression showed that the end-expiratory pressure was associated with the flow rate, sex, height, and cannula size. The end-expiratory pressure increased by 0.6 cmH(2)O per 1-mm increase in cannula diameter, decreased by 0.3 cmH(2)O per 10-cm increase in participant height (with a 0.35 cmH(2)O decrease for men), and increased by 1 cmH(2)O when the flow rate increased by 10 L/min (R(2) = 0.75, P < 0.05 for all variables in model). In addition, the pressure generated by the H-80 M device was higher than that generated by the HFT-300 device (P < 0.05). Discomfort manifested as difficulty in expiration, and its severity increased as the cannula diameter increased; however there was no significant difference in comfort between the two HFNC devices (P > 0.05). CONCLUSION: In volunteers undergoing HFNC oxygen therapy, the nasal cannula diameter, flow rate, sex, height, and device model can affect the nasal airway pressure, and the nasal catheter diameter and flow rate can affect comfort. These factors should be given close attention in clinical practice. TRIAL REGISTRATION: ChiCTR2300068313 (date of first registration: 14 February 2023, https://www.chictr.org.cn). SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s12890-023-02752-6.