Pilot study of vapotherm oxygen delivery in moderately severe bronchiolitis

Heated humidified high flow nasal cannula (HHHFNC) therapy is becoming increasingly used in preterm infants and there is evidence that it can provide some degree of respiratory support.1 2 We designed a prospective, randomised, open pilot study to assess the safety and feasibility of using HHHFNC therapy in infants with bronchiolitis. We recruited infants with a clinical diagnosis of moderately severe bronchiolitis. Following parental informed consent, infants were randomised to head-box oxygen or the Vapotherm 2000i (Vapotherm Inc, Stevensville, Maryland, USA). Initial vapotherm flow was 4 l/min with 100% oxygen and was increased up to 8 l/min if tolerated. Oxygen concentration was adjusted in both groups to achieve target pulse …