Examining the Effects of Nasal High Flow Oxygen Therapy Compared to Non-invasive Ventilation in Health Volunteers

Respiratory failure is characterized by low levels of oxygen and high levels of carbon dioxide in the blood which causes difficulty breathing. The management of patients with respiratory failure aims at improving oxygenation and changing the effort required to breathe. Mechanical ventilation is a life-saving treatment but may be associated with a high mortality rate, prolonged stay in the intensive care unit (ICU), and infection. Oxygenation techniques to avoid mechanical ventilation include standard oxygen therapy, continuous positive pressure (CPAP), and high-flow nasal cannula oxygen therapy (HFNC). CPAP consists of delivering oxygen through a mask. As compared to standard oxygen therapy, CPAP can promote lung recruitment leading to improved oxygenation and the effect in work of breathing in patients with respiratory failure. Conversely, high-flow nasal cannula oxygen therapy (HFNC) delivers oxygen through nasal prongs. Oxygen is heated and humidified and can be delivered at different flows (from 10 - 60 L/min). As compared to standard oxygen therapy, HFNC can promote some lung recruitment leading to mofiy oxygenation and work of breathing. Therefore, the present study will have 2 phases: Phase 1:Comparison of the physiological effects of different flows of HFNC to CPAP in healthy volunteers. The investigators hypothesized that the physiological effects of HFNC in the nasopharynx are comparable to that of CPAP at 4 cm H2O. Phase 2: Comparison of the physiological effects of different nasal interfaces of HFNC (Standard cannula vs. Asymmetrical cannula vs. Single-nostril adapted cannula) in healthy volunteers. The investigators hypothesized that the physiological effects of HFNC in the nasopharynx are comparable to that of CPAP at 4 cm H2O. It was hypothesized that asymmetrical which is the cannula that has a higher cross-sectional area generates higher nasal pharyngeal pressure.