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Low-Flow vs. High-Flow Nasal Cannula for Hypoxemic Immunocompromised Patients During Diagnostic Bronchoscopy

Low-Flow vs. High-Flow Nasal Cannula for Hypoxemic Immunocompromised Patients During Diagnostic Bronchoscopy: A Randomized Controlled Trial

Status
Active, not recruiting
Phases
NA
Study type
Interventional
Source
ClinicalTrials.gov
Registry ID
NCT03168815
Enrollment
98
Registered
2017-05-30
Start date
2018-01-10
Completion date
2025-12-31
Last updated
2025-05-09

For informational purposes only — not medical advice. Sourced from public registries and may not reflect the latest updates. Terms

Conditions

Hematologic Malignancy, Hypoxia, Immunocompromised, Post Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplant, Pulmonary Infiltrates

Keywords

HFNC, Bronchoscopy, Hypoxia, Immunocompromised, Hematological malignancy

Brief summary

Pneumonia is a lung infection. Fiberoptic bronchoscopy is a test to diagnose the type of lung infection. While this procedure is being performed, a small amount of oxygen is delivered into the nose (low flow nasal cannula). Occasionally during this procedure, the blood oxygen of the patient may drop and an intervention such as increasing the oxygen flow, or placing the patient on a breathing machine is required. An alternative device called 'Optiflow' can provide high flow oxygen through nasal cannula, and is comfortable for patients. If Optiflow is used during bronchoscopy, it may prevent the blood oxygen from dropping.

Detailed description

Pneumonia is a lung infection that is a common complication in people with cancer, because of a weak immune system. Fiberoptic bronchoscopy is a test that is commonly used to help doctors diagnose the type of lung infection and treat it appropriately. It involves passing a thin tube with a camera at the end inside the lungs, and taking some fluid samples which are sent for analysis. While this procedure is being performed, a small amount of oxygen is delivered into the nose (low flow nasal cannula). Occasionally during this procedure, the blood oxygen of the patient may drop (even if the patient is receiving oxygen, and especially if the patient has severe pneumonia), and the procedure may have to be interrupted or prematurely stopped. If the oxygen level drops significantly, an intervention such as increasing the oxygen flow, or in the worst-case scenario temporarily placing the patient on a breathing machine is required. An alternative device called 'Optiflow' can provide high flow oxygen through nasal cannula, and is comfortable for patients. Optiflow was approved by Health Canada in 2006, and is commonly used in hospitals in Ontario and around the world to support patients whose blood oxygen is low. If Optiflow is used during bronchoscopy, it may prevent the blood oxygen from dropping.

Interventions

DEVICEHigh Flow Nasal Cannula or Low Flow Nasal Cannula

HFNC vs LFNC

Sponsors

Princess Margaret Hospital, Canada
CollaboratorOTHER
Mount Sinai Hospital, Canada
Lead SponsorOTHER

Study design

Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Intervention model
PARALLEL
Primary purpose
PREVENTION
Masking
NONE

Intervention model description

Patients will be randomized to either HFNC delivered at 50 L/min with FiO2 50% delivered for at least 5 min prior to FOB and throughout the procedure; or to conventional supplemental LFNC delivered at 6L/min applied for at least 5 minutes prior to FOB and throughout the procedure.

Eligibility

Sex/Gender
ALL
Age
18 Years to No maximum
Healthy volunteers
No

Inclusion criteria

* Adult patients ≥18 years scheduled to undergo FOB (as determined by their medical care team) who are immunocompromised (active hematologic malignancy or post hematopoietic stem cell transplant), and are hypoxic with pulmonary infiltrates. Hypoxia will be defined as requiring supplemental low flow oxygen ≥ 2L/min by nasal cannula to maintain SpO2 \>90%.

Exclusion criteria

1. requiring supplemental oxygen \> 8L/min by nasal cannula; 2. receiving HFNC before randomization; 3. nasal deformity or packing precluding HFNC use; 4. hypercapnia (PaCO2 \> 60) or respiratory acidosis (pH \<7.25); 5. requiring NIV for over 1 hour or intubated.

Design outcomes

Primary

MeasureTime frameDescription
Desaturation during FOBThe SpO2 will be measured using a bedside SpO2 measuring device during or 1 hour post-FOB defined as a drop in SpO2 of 4% or more for > 1 minute or any drop in O2 <90% necessitating an increase in FiO2 to maintain a saturation ≥92% for at least 1 minute.Any desaturation during FOB or during the 1 hour post-FOB defined as a drop in SpO2 of 4% or more for more than 1 minute or any drop in O2 less than 90%, and necessitating an increase in FiO2 to maintain a saturation ≥92% for at least 1 minute.

Countries

Canada

Outcome results

None listed

Source: ClinicalTrials.gov · Data processed: Feb 4, 2026