High Flow Aerosol Generation Study
Research type
Research Study
Full title
Aerosol generation after tracheal extubation with high-flow nasal oxygen therapy compared with standard low-flow oxygen therapy: a randomised controlled trial
IRAS ID
292702
Contact name
Andrew Klein
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
Royal Papworth Hospital NHS Foundation Trust
Clinicaltrials.gov Identifier
Duration of Study in the UK
0 years, 11 months, 28 days
Research summary
High-flow nasal therapy (HFNT) may reduce the requirement for invasive ventilation in selected patients with respiratory failure and can reduce postoperative pulmonary complications if used after cardiac surgery. However, there is concern that it may increase the risk of COVID-19 transmission to healthcare workers through small droplet aerosol generation. Uncertainty about the relative risk of aerosol-generating procedures has contributed to strikingly different recommendations amongst international guidelines on their use and despite the importance of the subject, there is a lack of randomised trials. Therefore, we plan to carry out a randomised controlled trial to examine aerosol generation during and for 1 hour after tracheal extubation - the aim of this study is to compare high-flow (HFNT) and standard low-flow oxygen therapy to determine if there is a difference in aerosol generation between the therapies. We plan to measure the size and distribution of the particles with HFNT compared with standard low-flow oxygen therapy and also airborne particle dispersion during tracheal extubation and afterwards with different oxygen delivery devices (high-flow vs standard low-flow). To collect the data we will use three Lighthouse 3016-1AQ Handheld Particle Counters per patient, which will be set-up in the ICU room in standardised positions. In addition, we will measure CO2 levels, which reflect breathing and will allow aerosol to be better quantified. CO2 data will be collected using standard CO2 collection devices which will be placed next to each particle counter in the ICU room.
REC name
London - City & East Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
21/LO/0031
Date of REC Opinion
14 Jan 2021
REC opinion
Favourable Opinion