Efectividad de la oxigenoterapia de alto flujo en hospital de segundo nivel en bronquiolitis

Abstract

Introduction To estimate the impact of the incorporation of high-flow nasal cannule (HFNC) in patients admitted with acute bronchiolitis in a hospital without pediatric intensive care unit (PICU). Material and methods Cohort study with historical control of bronchiolitis in a second-level hospital, before (2009-2012) and after (2015-2020) the implementation of HFNC. The main outcome was the need for admission to the PICU. Results 301 patients were included. Respiratory syncytial viruses were identified in 64.7% of them and influenza viruses in 0.3%. No differences in age nor comorbility between periods were observed. The average stay was 3.67 days (standard deviation [SE]: 2.10) in the first period and 4.00 days (SE: 2.35) in the second. Three patients were transferred to PICU (2.6%) before the availability of HFNC and 13 patients (9.4%) after, which supposed an important increase of the risk (relative risk 3.58; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.04 to 12.27), although not significant in adjusted analyses (odds ratio 3.48; 95% CI: 0.95 to 12.72). A significant increase in readmission risk was also observed (from 5.3% to 13.7%) and a shortening of the time to transfer. Conclusions The incorporation of HFNC was not associated with a lower risk of transfer to PICU nor a shorter length of oxygen therapy. In the absence of evidence, that supports the effectiveness and efficiency of the HFNC and establishes its indications, we must reassess its use.