Non-invasive positive-pressure ventilation with positive end-expiratory pressure counteracts inward air leaks during preoxygenation: a randomised crossover controlled study in healthy volunteers

During preoxygenation, the lack of tight fit between the mask and the patient's face results in inward air leak preventing effective preoxygenation. We hypothesized that non-invasive positive-pressure ventilation and positive end-expiratory pressure (PEEP) could counteract inward air leak. Healthy volunteers were randomly assigned to preoxygenated through spontaneous breathing without leak (SB), spontaneous breathing with a calibrated air leak (T-shaped piece between the mouth and the breathing system; SB-leak), or non-invasive positive inspiratory pressure ventilation (inspiratory support +6 cm H2O; PEEP +5 cm H2O) with calibrated leak (PPV-leak). The volunteers breathed through a mouthpiece connected to an anaesthesia ventilator. The expired oxygen fraction (FeO2) and air-leak flow (ml s−1) were measured. The primary end point was the proportion of volunteers with FeO2 >90% at 3 min. The secondary end points were FeO2 at 3 min, time to reach FeO2 of 90%, and the inspiratory air-leak flow. Twenty healthy volunteers were included. The proportion of volunteers with FeO2 >90% at 3 min was 0% in the SB-leak group, 95% in the SB group, and 100% in the PPV-leak group (P