The role of high flow therapy in optimising cardiorespiratory stability during intubation of premature infants

Premature infants frequently require endotracheal intubation, a procedure associated with significant risk of cardiorespiratory instability, including hypoxaemia, desaturation and bradycardia. High flow nasal cannula (HFNC) therapy has been proposed to optimise oxygenation and stability during intubation; however, its role in neonatal practice remains unclear. This systematised review evaluates the evidence for the use of HFNC during intubation of preterm infants, with a focus on cardiorespiratory stability. The findings suggest that HFNC may reduce episodes of desaturation and bradycardia during neonatal intubation, although further large scale studies are needed.

Malgorzata M Lomis
Advanced Neonatal Nurse Practitioner, Mersey and West Lancashire Teaching Hospital NHS Trust, Prescot malgorzata.lomis@merseywestlancs.nhs.uk orcid.org/0009-0001-8657-814X

Suzanne Threadgold
Lecturer in Neonatal Nursing, School of Nursing and Midwifery, University of Salford, Manchester s.e.threadgold@salford.ac.uk

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Keywords

high flow therapy; neonatal infant; premature infant; intubation; hypoxaemia; cardiorespiratory stability

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VOLUME 18 ISSUE 4/JULY 2022

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