Early Versus Late Use of Hi-VNI in Covid-19

This study evaluate early administration of high-velocity nasal insufflation in COVID-19 patients presented with acute respiratory failure after failure of conventional low flow nasal cannula bypassing the escalating step of Non re-breathing mask where early use of High velocity nasal insufflations achieved better improvement of respiratory distress, lower oxygen requirements and shorter ICU stay.

The study included 30 COVID-19 patients admitted to intensive care of COVID-19 zone, chest Department, quarantine section, Assiut University hospital. All patients were positive for COVID-19 infection by nasopharyngeal swab for detection of viral RNA by real time PCR for SAR-COV-2 RNA assay on 7500 Applied Bio-system. All patients received treatment based on the protocol of Egyptian Ministry of Health, Patients enrolled in the study were categorized into 2 groups, the 1st group included patients whom were shifted to Hi-VNI after failure of high flow nasal cannula, while the 2nd group included patients shifted to Hi-VNI after failure of non-rebreathing mask, using a Precision flow vapotherm (vapotherm, Inc, 100 Domain device Exeter, NH 03833, T: 603-658-0011, USA), that provide high velocity humidified flow through narrow bore nasl prongs