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. 2021 Mar 4;2021(3):CD010172. doi: 10.1002/14651858.CD010172.pub3

Brainard 2017.

Study characteristics
Methods RCT, parallel‐group design. Single‐centre study
Participants Total number of randomized participants: 51
Setting: ICU, USA
Inclusion criteria: ≥ 18 years of age; undergoing thoracic surgery with scheduled admission to the ICU postoperatively
Exclusion criteria: < 18 years of age; pregnant or breastfeeding; known diagnosis of obstructive sleep apnoea; current or pervious lung transplantation; previous pneumonectomy; home oxygen > 4 L/min; inability to adhere to assigned treatment for the intended duration
Baseline characteristics (for those who continued treatment):
Intervention group (HFNC):

  • Age, mean (SD): 57 (± 14) years

  • Gender, M/F: 8/10

  • BMI, mean (SD): 26 (± 5) kg/m2

  • ASA II/III/IV: 5/12/1

  • SAPS II, mean (SD): 19 (± 7)

  • PaCO2, mean (SD): not reported

  • PaO2/FiO2, mean (SD): not reported


Control group (standard oxygen):

  • Age, mean (SD): 59 (± 16) years

  • Gender, M/F: 14/12

  • BMI, mean (SD): 25 (± 5) kg/m2

  • ASA II/III/IV: 1/19/1

  • SAPS II, mean (SD): 23 (± 7)

  • PaCO2, mean (SD): not reported

  • PaO2/FiO2, mean (SD): not reported
Interventions Intervention group (HFNC):

  • Randomized, n = 25; losses, n = 7 (discontinued due to discomfort); analysed, n = 18 (we included 7 lost participants as outcome data for comfort)

  • Details: HFNC using MaxVenturi, started after transfer to ICU, following surgery, set flow of 40 L/min, FiO2 titrated by respiratory therapists to maintain SpO2 ≥ 90%. Therapy continued for 48 hours or until transfer from the ICU to a ward


Control group (standard oxygen):

  • Randomized, n = 26; losses, n = 0; analysed, n = 26

  • Details: standard oxygen given via nasal cannula or face mask titrated by nurses as required to maintain SpO2 ≥ 90%. Therapy continued for 48 hours or until transfer from the ICU to a ward
Outcomes Composite of postoperative pulmonary outcomes (severe hypoxaemia, acute respiratory failure, escalation of therapy to non‐invasive ventilation, re‐intubation, occurrence of hospital‐acquired pneumonia); ICU and hospital lengths of stay; postoperative oxygenation
Note: study authors did not separately report data for the each event in the primary outcome.
Notes Funding/declarations of interest: one study author was supported by the NIS/National Institute on Drug Abuse. Study authors declared no conflicts of interest.
Study dates: August 2013 to June 2015