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Preliminary evaluation of the use of high‐flow nasal cannula oxygen therapy during recovery from general anesthesia in dogs with obstructive upper airway breathing
Author(s) -
Jagodich Tiffany A.,
Bersenas Alexa M. E.,
Bateman Shane W.,
Kerr Carolyn L.
Publication year - 2020
Publication title -
journal of veterinary emergency and critical care
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.886
H-Index - 47
eISSN - 1476-4431
pISSN - 1479-3261
DOI - 10.1111/vec.12971
Subject(s) - medicine , nasal cannula , anesthesia , airway , cannula , hypoxemia , breathing , work of breathing , continuous positive airway pressure , oxygen therapy , obstructive sleep apnea , ventilation (architecture) , surgery , mechanical ventilation , mechanical engineering , engineering
Abstract Background Brachycephalic airway syndrome can pose a risk of complicated recovery from anesthesia as a result of irritation to the excess pharyngeal andlaryngeal tissue present in affected dogs. High‐flow nasal cannula (HFNC) oxygen therapy is a respiratory support modality that offers provision of continuous positive airway pressure via high gas flow rates. The HFNC system actively warms and humidifies inspired gases, which improves comfort and facilitates tolerance of the high flow rates in people and dogs. HFNC oxygen therapy was applied to brachycephalic dogs that developed increased work of breathing or hypoxemia in the recovery phase of anesthesia to determine if this device would be tolerable and effective for relief of upper respiratory difficulty. Key Findings The HFNC nasal prong interface is well suited to the brachycephalic facial structure. The application of HFNC was found to reduce dyspnea scores in patients with signs of upper airway obstruction after general anesthesia. Aerophagia and changes in PCO 2 were noted. Significance Application of HFNC in the recovery period may result in improved airflow during times of somnolent obstructive breathing, not unlike the use of continuous positive airway pressure therapy in sleep‐disordered breathing in people.