The aim of this multicenter, randomized, controlled, open-label trial is to investigate the efficacy of early treatment with HFNO compared with SOT in preventing early deterioration of patients admitted to the ER because of acute hypoxemic respiratory failure.
Age ≥ 18 years;
PaO2/FiO2 ratio between 250 and 150 mmHg or SpO2/FiO2 ratio between 190 and 274, after at least 15 minutes of spontaneous breathing through a Venturi mask (VM), with a FiO2 targeted at a SpO2 94-97%;
Respiratory rate(RR)≤35breaths/min,afteratleast15minutesofspontaneous breathing through a VM, with a FiO2 targeted at a SpO2 94-97%;
PaCO2 ≤ 45 mmHg;
Acute asthma or COPD exacerbation,
Cardiac failure or fluid overload as primary cause of respiratory failure;
Unstable angina or ongoing acute myocardial infarction;
Acute respiratory acidosis with pH < 7.35 and PaCO2 > 45 mmHg;