Ward-Based High-Flow Nasal Oxygen Therapy in Acute Respiratory Failure: A Retrospective Analysis of Long-Term Mortality.

ABSTRACT:

Introduction: High-flow nasal oxygen therapy (HFNO) for acute respiratory failure (ARF) has been used in the intensive care units (ICUs), but more recently also on respiratory wards (RWs). Little data are available regarding in-hospital, short-term and long-term mortality in the latter setting.

Methods

We performed a retrospective analysis of patients ≥ 16 years old treated with HFNO on the RW between 01/2020 and 09/2022 with a follow-up until 09/2023. We grouped patients by main diagnosis and do-not-intubate (DNI) order. Cox proportional hazard models were used.

Results

We analyzed 145 HFNO patients (36% women, median age 70 years [quartile range {Q1-Q3} 62-79], BMI 25.8 [Q1-Q3: 22.6-28.5] kg/m2) with ARF mostly due to COVID-19 (n = 84, 57.9%), other pneumonia (n = 25, 17

SUBMITTER: Horvath CM 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12503806 | biostudies-literature | 2026

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature