High-Flow Nasal Cannula Therapy With Early Extubation for Subjects Undergoing Off-Pump Coronary Artery Bypass Graft Surgery

The effects of high-flow nasal cannula (HFNC) therapy on postoperative atelectasis and duration of oxygen therapy after off-pump coronary artery bypass graft are unknown. The purpose of this study was to compare the effects of HFNC therapy for subjects who underwent off-pump coronary artery bypass graft with the effects of standard oxygen therapy in terms of oxygen requirement and atelectasis. This prospective single-blinded randomized, controlled trial included 148 subjects who underwent off-pump coronary artery bypass graft between 2010 and 2015 with HFNC ( = 72) or without HFNC (standard O , = 76). The primary end point was the percentage difference in loss of lung volume between subjects with or without HFNC therapy. Secondary end points included the total amount of oxygen administered and duration of oxygen therapy with and without HFNC therapy. There were significant between-group differences in the percentage loss of lung volume ( < .001), total amount of oxygen administered ( < .001), duration of oxygen therapy ( < .001), and the need for postoperative diuretic therapy ( = .037). The amount (ρ = 0.569, < .001) and duration (ρ = 0.678, < .001) of oxygen administered were correlated with atelectasis volume. Using HFNC therapy after off-pump coronary artery bypass graft shortened the duration of oxygen therapy and reduced the percentage loss of lung volume and total amount of oxygen administered when compared with standard oxygen therapy.