The optimal initial management of acute hypoxemic respiratory failure is uncertain. Helmet noninvasive ventilation and high-flow nasal oxygen appear as the most promising techniques in this setting. Recently, the first head-to-head randomized trial compared first-line continuous treatment with helmet pressure support ventilation with specific settings (PEEP=12 cmH2O pressure and pressure support=10-12 cmH2O) vs. high-flow nasal oxygen alone in patients with moderate-to-severe hypoxemic respiratory failure. Results showed no significant inter-group difference in the days free of respiratory support at 28 days, but lower intubation rate and increased 28-day invasive ventilation-free days in the helmet group. Use of helmet noninvasive ventilation is less frequent than use of helmet continuous positive airway pressure, which is simpler to use.~The investigators designed an open-label, multicentre randomized trial to assess the effect of helmet pressure support ventilation and continuous airway pressure as compared to high-flow nasal oxygen on the intubation rate of patients with moderate-to-severe hypoxemic respiratory failure in the intensive care unit.
Multicenter, open label, three-arm randomized trial to assess the effect of helmet noninvasive ventilation vs. helmet continuous positive airway pressure vs. high-flow nasal oxygen on the rate of endotracheal intubation of patients with acute moderate-to-severe hypoxemic respiratory failure