Table 3 Practices of high-flow nasal cannula therapy among ICU physicians (initiation, weaning, failure)
From: High-flow nasal cannula therapy: clinical practice in intensive care units
| Â | Overall, n (%) | Seniors, n (%) | Juniors, n (%) | p* |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Minimal COT gas flow justifying a switch to HFNC | Â | Â | Â | 0.67 |
 6 L/min | 40 (41/102) | 38 (24/63) | 44 (17/39) |  |
 9 L/min | 39 (40/102) | 43 (27/63) | 33 (13/39) |  |
 12 L/min | 12 (12/102) | 10 (6/63) | 15 (6/39) |  |
 15 L/min | 9 (9/102) | 10 (6/63) | 8 (3/39) |  |
Initial HFNC settings | Â | Â | Â | Â |
 FiO2 ≥ 50% | 58 (62/106) | 53 (35/66) | 68 (27/40) | 0.16 |
 Gas flow ≥ 50 L/min | 28 (30/106) | 33 (22/66) | 20 (8/40) | 0.18 |
Criteria for HFNC failure | Â | Â | Â | Â |
 Breathing arrest | 97 (103/106) | 95 (40/42) | 98 (63/64) | 0.56 |
 Refractory hypoxemia | 95 (104/110) | 94 (63/67) | 95 (41/43) | 1 |
 Acidosis | 81 (89/110) | 78 (52/67) | 86 (37/43) | 0.33 |
 Worsening of ARF | 95 (104/110) | 100 (67/67) | 86 (37/43) | 0.003 |
 Bronchial congestion | 75 (83/110) | 82 (55/67) | 72 (31/43) | 0.24 |
 Circulatory insufficiency | 61 (65/106) | 72 (48/67) | 44 (17/39) | 0.007 |
 Agitation | 95 (105/110) | 99 (66/67) | 91 (39/43) | 0.08 |
 Consciousness disorders | 99 (109/110) | 99 (66/67) | 100 (43/43) | 1 |
 Other organ dysfunction | 65 (71/109) | 76 (50/66) | 49 (21/43) | 0.007 |
Criteria for HFNC weaning | Â | Â | Â | 0.33 |
 FiO2 < 30% | 50 (56/111) | 57 (39/68) | 40 (17/43) |  |
 Gas flow < 20 L/min | 16 (18/111) | 9 (6/68) | 12 (5/43) |  |
 Both previous criteria | 30 (33/111) | 25 (17/68) | 37 (16/43) |  |
 Other | 16 (18/111) | 9 (6/68) | 12 (5/43) |  |