High Flow Nasal Cannula Rates in Pediatric Asthma

University of Rochester

Overview

This is a randomized, open-label, 3-armed feasibility trial will examine conventional oxygen therapy (COT) vs high flow nasal cannula at 4L/min flow vs HFNC at 2L/kg/min flow (max 60L/min) in moderate to severe pediatric asthma exacerbations.

The purpose of this feasibility trial is to examine the safety and efficacy of high flow nasal cannula in moderate to severe pediatric asthma exacerbations. Eligible patients will be admitted to the Pediatric Intensive Care Unit (PICU) after initial presentation to the emergency department (ED) or as a transfer from an outside hospital ED. Patients will be admitted to the PICU on standard asthma therapy (continuous albuterol and systemic corticosteroids) based on the discretion of the treating ED physician. Upon PICU admission, eligible patients will be consented, enrolled, and randomized into the study. All patients will be continued on standard asthma therapy of continuous albuterol at 20mg/hr and systemic intravenous corticosteroids. Patient will be randomized into one of three groups: (1) conventional oxygen therapy at 2L/min via standard facemark (control group), (2) high flow nasal cannula at 4L/min, and (3) high flow nasal cannula at 2L/kg/min (max 60L/min). Pediatric Respiratory Assessment Measure (PRAM) scores and vital signs will be taken at baseline and hourly for two hours. After the two-hour long study is completed, patients will be placed on a respiratory support modality as per the treating physician's discretion. Patients will be followed longitudinally after study completion.

Study Type

INTERVENTIONAL

Allocation

RANDOMIZED

Purpose

SUPPORTIVE_CARE

Masking

NONE

Conditions

Pediatric Asthma

Interventions

"High Flow" High Flow Nasal CannulaDEVICE

High Flow Nasal Cannula will be applied in both experimental groups but different flow rates will be used in each arm; this arm will use higher flow rates.

"Low Flow" High Flow Nasal CannulaDEVICE

High Flow Nasal Cannula will be applied in both experimental groups but different flow rates will be used in each arm; this arm will use lower flow rates.

Eligibility

Sex: ALLMin age: 2 YearsMax age: 17 YearsHealthy volunteers:

Medical Language ↔ Plain English

Inclusion Criteria: * Age 2-17 years old with prior clinical diagnosis of asthma * Admitted to PICU on standard asthma therapy defined as continuous albuterol and systemic corticosteroids * Admitted to PICU on either COT or HFNC * Admitted to PICU from either Golisano Children's Hospital ED or as a transport from an outside hospital ED within 6 hours of initial presentation * PRAM score greater than or equal to 4 after completion of initial ED therapy Exclusion Criteria: * Admitted to the PICU on NIV or invasive mechanical ventilation * Admitted to the PICU from general floors or \> 6 hours from initial presentation * Presence of a tracheostomy or baseline NIV requirement * Pregnancy * Immunocompromised State

Locations (2)

University of Rochester Golisano Children's Hospital

Rochester, New York, United States

University of Rochester Medical Center

Rochester, New York, United States

Outcomes

Primary Outcomes

Percent of participants enrolled

Percent of participants randomized divided by the percent of participants approached.

Time frame: 12 months

Secondary Outcomes

Mean Change in Pediatric Respiratory Assessment Measure (PRAM) Score

The Pediatric Respiratory Assessment Measure (PRAM) Score is a validated tool to measure asthma severity in pediatric patients. It is a scale that ranges from 0-12 with scores 4-7 indicating moderate asthma exacerbation and scores of 8-12 indicating severe exacerbation. The score has also been shown to be responsive to asthma therapies, with a decrease in score being indicative of improvement. PRAM scores will be measured at the start of the trial, at hour 1 and at the completion of the trial at hour 2. Mean changes in PRAM score will be compared across all three groups.

Time frame: Baseline to 2 hours

Mean Change in Respiratory Rate

The mean change in respiratory rate during the two our study period across all 3 study groups will be compared.

Time frame: Baseline to 2 hours

Mean Total Duration of Continuous Albuterol

Children will be followed longitudinally until hospital discharge and record the total duration of hours patients spent on continuous albuterol.

Time frame: Approximately 3 days

Percentage of Children with Escalation of Respiratory Support

The percentage of children requiring an increase in respiratory support (defined as escalation of support to HFNC of any flow rate, continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP), bilevel positive airway pressure (BPAP), invasive mechanical ventilation (IMV), or extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO)) either during the 2-hour trial period, immediately upon completion, or within the first 24 hours of study enrollment time will be recorded.

Data from ClinicalTrials.gov

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