Table 2.

Current clinical applications of the high-flow nasal cannula system.

	Clinical effects
Acute hypoxaemic respiratory failure	• Reduces dyspnoea • Improves oxygenation • Decreases escalation to invasive support
Hypoxaemic failure in immunocompromised patients	• Reduces dyspnoea • Improves oxygenation • Reduces intubation rate • Reduces mortality (?)
Cardiogenic pulmonary oedema	• Improves oxygenation • Reduces cardiac afterload
Exacerbation of chronic obstructive pulmonary diseases	• Improves gas exchange • Decreases partial pressure of CO2
Postextubation	• Improves gas exchange • Decreases reintubation rates
Respiratory procedures	• Improves oxygenation during endoscopy