Humidification and High-Flow Oxygen Therapy in Critically Ill Patients: Devices and Humidification Technology and Clinical Implications

Abstract

The high-flow nasal cannula (HFNC) system is a noninvasive respiratory support device that can nasally deliver heated and humidified medical gas at high-flow, high oxygen fraction to the patient. Adding adequate warmth and high humidification to the breathing gas allows higher flow rates to be applied. HFNC therapy clears the nasopharyngeal anatomical dead space, reduces airway resistance, and improves patient comfort and tolerance. The HFNC system consists of a flow generator, active heated humidifier, single-limb heated circuit, and nasal cannula. The use of HFNC therapy as an alternative respiratory support in critically ill patients with hypoxemic respiratory failure is increasing. © The Editor(s) (if applicable) and The Author(s), under exclusive license to Springer Nature Switzerland AG, 2023.