Clinical Research Directory

In the intervention group, high-flow nasal oxygen (HFNO) will be initiated at the start of preoxygenation and maintained throughout the apneic phase of induction until successful tracheal intubation. HFNO will be reinitiated immediately prior to extubation and continued throughout the early postoperative period until discharge from the post-anesthesia care unit (PACU). HFNO can be discontinued earlier in the PACU at the discretion of the nurse treating the patient, or upon patient request. HFNO can further be changed to standard of care (standard oxygen mask or standard nasal cannula) at any time at the discretion of the anesthesia provider or PACU nurse. Flow rates and fraction of inspired oxygen (FiO₂) will follow the study protocol (60 liters per minute at 100% O2 for induction of anesthesia, 60 liters per minute at 70% O2 for extubation until 10 minutes after arrival in the PACU with subsequent weaning over the first hour after PACU arrival).