Feasibility of Aerosol Bronchodilators Delivery Through High-Flow Nasal Cannula in Pediatric Subjects With Respiratory Distress

BACKGROUND: High-flow nasal cannula (HFNC) is commonly used to provide respiratory support to pediatric patients with respiratory failure. Although the use of bronchodilators via HFNC has been described, the feasibility and safety of aerosolized bronchodilator delivery via HFNC are controversial. In this study, we sought to evaluate whether the HFNC system can be used to deliver nebulized bronchodilators at lower gas flow of 2–4 L/min, increase patient comfort, and minimize respiratory therapist (RT) bedside time when compared to traditional interfaces. METHODS: A retrospective chart review of all pediatric subjects who were admitted to the pediatric ICU in a tertiary care children’s hospital and required nebulized bronchodilators between December 2017 and June 2018. RESULTS: A total of 205 nebulizations were administered to 28 children; 31% of nebulized bronchodilators were given using a nebulization system integrated into the HFNC. Nebulized treatments resulted in an average increase in heart rate of 9.98 (95% CI 3.72–16.2) beats/min when HFNC was used and 0.64 (95% CI −1.65 to 2.93) beats/min when traditional interfaces were used, a difference of 9.34 (95% CI 2.30–16.4) beats/min (P CONCLUSIONS: Aerosol bronchodilator delivery using HFNC is feasible at low gas flow (ie, 2–4 L/min). However, the use of HFNC did not improve subjects’ comfort, and it increased RT bedside time. Further prospective randomized studies are needed to determine the efficacy and efficiency of aerosol therapy delivered through HFNC and potential patient-oriented outcomes.