High flow nasal cannula (HFNC) provides high concentration oxygen in a high flow, which exceeds patient's inspiratory flow demand, to improve oxygenation. In a recent meta-analysis of seven trials with 1771 patients, HFNC was shown to improve oxygenation and avoid intubation in patients with severe hypoxemia. The high velocity of the gas can rinse the dead space of the upper airway and reduce CO2 rebreathing, reduce COPD patients' work of breathing and improve the dynamic compliance of respiratory system.~Thus, we proposed a randomized controlled trial to investigate the value of high flow nasal cannula in weaning AECOPD patients from invasive ventilation, with comparison of noninvasive ventilation.
High flow nasal cannula (HFNC) has been shown to improve oxygenation and facilitate weaning in hypoxemia patients. Some clinical studies show the benefits of using HFNC in COPD patients, including reducing dead space and work of breathing. However, no clinical study has been to investigate the value of HFNC in weaning COPD patients from invasive ventilation. Thus, we proposed a randomized controlled trial to compare the use of HFNC and noninvasive ventilation (NIV) in weaning COPD.