Respiratory failure & ventilation
The Impact of High-Flow Nasal Cannula Therapy on Diaphragmatic Function Assessed by Ultrasound: A Pilot Clinical Study
Authors' conclusion
This study shows that high-flow nasal cannula improves diaphragmatic function compared with Venturi mask oxygen therapy.
Study context
- Population
- Adult ICU patients with PaO2/FiO2 ≤300 mm Hg (acute hypoxemic respiratory failure)crossover
- Participants
- 28 patients
- Exposure
- HFNC vs Venturi mask vs helmet continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP)
- Outcome
- Diaphragmatic function assessed by ultrasound
Methodological detailssingle-centre, sequential 60-minute phases
- Single-centre
- Sequential 60-minute phases
Main finding
As reported in the abstract
Diaphragmatic thickening fraction
P = 0.0013
Observational data: associations, not effects.
Further findings
Diaphragmatic excursion — HFNC vs Venturi mask and CPAP · lower with HFNC
P = 0.0002
Inspiratory effort (esophageal pressure swings)
- HFNC reduced inspiratory effort vs Venturi mask
Diaphragmatic dysfunction index >100 (subgroup)
- HFNC and CPAP enhanced diaphragmatic thickening and decreased esophageal pressure swings vs Venturi mask
Original publication
The Impact of High-Flow Nasal Cannula Therapy on Diaphragmatic Function Assessed by Ultrasound: A Pilot Clinical Study. Crit Care Med. Published 19 December 2025. doi:10.
Composed by AI from the published abstract and checked against it. How Briefs are made →