Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jun 20, 2026
Preoxygenation Techniques for Tracheal Intubation in Critically Ill Adults Utilizing Oxygen Mask and Noninvasive Ventilation
Published on: December 5, 2025
High-flow nasal oxygen vs high-flow face mask: a randomized crossover trial in extubated patients
Ravindranath Tiruvoipati1, David Lewis, Kavi Haji
1Department of Intensive Care Medicine, Frankston Hospital, Frankston, Victoria 3199, Australia. travindranath@hotmail.com
Purpose:
Oxygen delivery after extubation is critical to maintain adequate oxygenation and to avoid reintubation. The delivery of oxygen in such situations is usually by high-flow face mask (HFFM). Yet, this may be uncomfortable for some patients. A recent advance in oxygen delivery technology is high-flow nasal prongs (HFNP). There are no randomized trials comparing these 2 modes.
Methods:
Patients were randomized to either protocol A (n = 25; HFFM followed by HFNP) or protocol B (n = 25; HFNP followed by HFFM) after a stabilization period of 30 minutes after extubation. The primary objective was to compare the efficacy of HFNP to HFFM in maintaining gas exchange as measured by arterial blood gas. Secondary objective was to compare the relative effects on heart rate, blood pressure, respiratory rate, comfort, and tolerance.
Results:
Patients in both protocols were comparable in terms of age, demographic, and physiologic variables including arterial blood gas, blood pressure, heart rate, respiratory rate, Glasgow Coma Score, sedation, and Acute Physiology and Chronic Health Evaluation (APACHE) III scores. There was no significant difference in gas exchange, respiratory rate, or hemodynamics. There was a significant difference (P = .01) in tolerance, with nasal prongs being well tolerated. There was a trend (P = .09) toward better patient comfort with HFNP.
Conclusions:
High-flow nasal prongs are as effective as HFFM in delivering oxygen to extubated patients who require high-flow oxygen. The tolerance of HFNP was significantly better than in HFFM.
Related Concept Videos
01:26Oxygen Delivering System I: Nasal Cannula and Face Mask
Nasal Cannula
A nasal cannula is a lightweight tube split at one end into two prongs and placed in the nostrils. It is typically used to deliver low to medium levels of oxygen.
Suggested flow rate: The suggested flow rate for a nasal cannula typically ranges between 1 and 6 L/min.
Oxygen percentage setting:...
01:16Oxygen Delivering System II: Venturi Mask and Transtracheal Oxygen
Venturi Mask
The Venturi mask, named after the Venturi effect, is designed to deliver precise oxygen concentrations. It consists of a large tube with an oxygen inlet that narrows down, causing a pressure drop that pulls air in through adjustable side ports. The mask is a lightweight,...
01:30Administering Oxygen by Mask
Administering oxygen by mask is a common nursing intervention that provides supplemental oxygen to patients with respiratory distress or chronic lung conditions. This procedure involves delivering oxygen at a specified rate through a face mask connected to an oxygen source.
Equipment
The equipment necessary for this procedure includes:
01:29Administering Oxygen by Nasal Cannula
Nasal Cannulas
A nasal cannula is a lightweight tube split into two prongs placed in the nostrils, connected...
01:22Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation II: ACLS Airway Management
01:23Oxygen Delivering System III: Tracheostomy and T-piece
Tracheostomy
A tracheostomy is a surgically created opening (stoma) in the anterior part of the trachea. It is used to establish a patient airway, bypass an upper airway obstruction, simplify the removal of secretions, permit long-term...