Preoxygenation in the Intensive Care Unit Using a Nose-mouth Mask Versus High-flow Nasal Cannula Oxygen.

Preoxygenation is routinely performed before endotracheal intubation. In the intensive care unit, preoxygenation is often accomplished using a nose-mouth mask. It seems probable that high flow nasal cannula oxygen, which is used in the treatment of patients with hypoxemic respiratory failure, is equally effective in preventing the development of hypoxemia during intubation. In this prospective randomized study preoxygenation using high flow nasal cannula oxygen is compared with preoxygenation via nose-mouth mask in patients with hypoxemic respiratory failure.