High-Flow vs. Low-Flow Nasal Cannula in Reducing Hypoxemic Events During Bronchoscopic Procedures: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

Abstract

Introduction: High-flow nasal cannula (HFNC) oxygenation method has been proven to be successful in oxygenation of patients with respiratory failure and has exhibited clinical superiority compared to low-flow nasal cannula (LFNC). Methods: We performed a systematic review and meta-analysis to evaluate the potential favorable impact of HFNC oxygenation during bronchoscopy and related procedures like endobronchial ultrasound-transbronchial needle aspiration. Only randomized control trials (RCTs) were included in the meta-analysis. Results: Six randomized control trials with 1,170 patients were included in this meta-analysis. Patients who underwent bronchoscopy with the use of high-flow nasal cannula experienced less hypoxemic events/desaturations, less procedural interruptions and pneumothoraxes compared to patients under low-flow nasal cannula treatment. This beneficial effect of HFNC in hypoxemic events was persistent 10 min after the end of procedure. Conclusion: The high-flow nasal cannula (HFNC) oxygenation method could reduce hypoxemic events and related peri- and post-bronchoscopic complications.