High-flow nasal cannula: COVID 19 and beyond

Early case series have suggested that 20%–31% of COVID-19 patients will develop acute respiratory distress syndrome and require intensive care, potentially causing a nationwide shortage of mechanical ventilators. We present a review of the high-flow nasal cannula which presents several physiological benefits in acute respiratory failure. It is a safe treatment modality with low risk of exposure to aerosolized viral particles for health-care workers in the setting of negative-pressure or high-efficiency particulate air-filtered rooms and proper personal protective equipment.