Continuous Positive Airway Pressure (CPAP) Ventilation Using a Novel Full-Face Mask Versus Conventional Helmet

November 4, 2013 updated by: Guido Fanelli, University of Parma

Noninvasive Ventilation For Postoperative Acute Respiratory Failure: Comparison of Conventional Helmet With a Novel Full-Face Mask.

The aim of this study is to compare two methods of delivery of noninvasive mechanical ventilation (NIV).

Since patient compliance and mechanical characteristics of the delivery devices are two fundamental variables in the success of NIV during acute respiratory failure, our hypothesis is that an improved patient-ventilator interface may improve the efficacy of therapy.

Study Overview

Detailed Description

Noninvasive ventilation (NIV) is the delivery of ventilatory support without the need for an invasive artificial airway. The use of noninvasive positive-pressure ventilation (NPPV) in acute respiratory failure has been steadily increasing for intensive care unit (ICU) patients. Noninvasive ventilation can often eliminate the need for intubation or tracheostomy and preserve normal swallowing, speech, and cough mechanisms. Discomfort of the device is one of the reason for the failure of NIV (30-40% of the cases).

The Novastar oro-nasal mask (Dräger Medical, Lubeck, Germany) is a flexible, transparent mask shell with a fine silicone gel cushion which adapts to the wearer's face. The pliable ring embedded inside the flexible clear shell allows the mask to be bent and adjusted to fit the patient's face (customized fit), while minimizing leakages. The mask has magnetic, self aligning clips for capture and secure fastening of the mask headgear. The magnetic clips are self-aligning.

The transparent flexible helmet for NIV (Rüsch 4-Vent, Teleflex Medical Europe, Athlone, Ireland) is fixed with two straps passing through each armpit. The braces are protected by hydrocolloid strips to prevent axillary decubitus. It is important to chose the right size of the helmet to avoid air leakages in the neck region. Two filters in the in- and expiratory way are necessary to reduce noise.

Different devices may lead to varying degrees of discomfort and, thus, improve compliance. Better tolerability of NIV may improve its efficacy. Therefore, we planned this randomized controlled trial to investigate whether different modalities of NIV delivery may affect therapeutical efficacy.

No randomized trials have compared helmets to the NOVASTAR full-face masks. This randomized, controlled study aims to assess whether the new full face mask improves gas exchange in patients admitted to ICU because of acute postoperative respiratory failure.

METHODS

Patients meeting criteria for NIV cycles will be enrolled in this trial. Informed written consent requirements were waived by the Internal Review Board since enrollment criteria meet common clinical guidelines and the two devices are both widely available (and approved for this indication).

Enrollment criteria are:

  • Ongoing or recent history of respiratory failure (either primary or secondary)
  • PaO2 <60 mmHg if breathing room air or PaO2/FiO2 <300 mmHg if receiving supplemental oxygen
  • Acute dyspnea with respiratory rate >25 bpm and accessory muscle recruitment and/or paradoxical abdominal breathing

Patients will be excluded if:

  • Refusing NIV
  • Comatose (Glasgow Coma Scale <8) or unable to maintain a patent airway
  • Hemodynamically unstable (systolic blood pressure <80 mmHg on recruitment, or receiving vasopressors/inotropes; ongoing angina/myocardial infarction; newly-developed arrhythmia with hemodynamic impact)
  • Having recently (≤2 weeks) undergone oesophageal or upper respiratory tract surgery

Upon enrolment, patients will be randomized to receive NIV via one of the two available interfaces. In group H (for "helmet"), the continuous positive pressure is obtained by a high influx of fresh gases (air + oxygen) flowing through a high-compliance reservoir, with a positive end-expiratory pressure valve limiting outflow. In the M ("oral-nasal mask") group the same flow scheme is obtained using a T-tube attached to the mask. Patients' heads will be elevated to about 45° in both groups.

In both groups continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) will be instituted at 5 cmH2O. Pressure will be increased by increments of 2-3 cmH2O until a maximum of 10 cmH2O in order to reach a peripheral blood oxygen saturation (SpO2) ≥ 90% with the lowest FiO2 possible.

Noninvasive ventilation will be ideally maintained for up to 24 h. Patients will be asked to wear the helmet/mask as long as possible. During ventilation-free periods, which will be maintained as short as possible, patients will receive 50% oxygen supplementation. The criteria for success of therapy and discontinuation of NIV will be a reversal of all criteria listed above for enrollment.

Criteria for NIV failure and subsequent intubation and mechanical ventilation will be:

  • Coma (Glasgow Coma Scale <8) or inability to maintain a patent airway
  • Hemodynamic instability (systolic blood pressure <80 mmHg on recruitment, or receiving vasopressors/inotropes; ongoing angina/myocardial infarction; newly-developed arrhythmia with hemodynamic impact)
  • Intolerance to the interface
  • Patient's inability to mobilize secretions
  • PaO2/FiO2 ratio <140 mmHg after ≥1 h of ventilation

MAIN ENDPOINT AND SAMPLE SIZE

Arterial blood gas analyses will be performed upon enrollment, after 1 h, and after 24 h from enrollment. The null hypothesis of the study is that there will be no difference in the mean PaO2/FiO2 values between the two groups at 24 h. We will consider as clinically and statistically significant a difference of ≥50±60 mmHg between the groups.

A total of 50 patients will be enrolled. Sample size calculations are based on the assumption of a 5% risk of type I error and a 20% risk of type II error, while accounting for a 10-15% attrition rate.

Study Type

Interventional

Enrollment (Actual)

23

Phase

  • Not Applicable

Contacts and Locations

This section provides the contact details for those conducting the study, and information on where this study is being conducted.

Study Locations

    • PR
      • Parma, PR, Italy, 43126
        • University and Hospital of Parma (Azienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria di Parma)

Participation Criteria

Researchers look for people who fit a certain description, called eligibility criteria. Some examples of these criteria are a person's general health condition or prior treatments.

Eligibility Criteria

Ages Eligible for Study

18 years to 89 years (Adult, Older Adult)

Accepts Healthy Volunteers

No

Genders Eligible for Study

All

Description

Inclusion Criteria:

  • Ongoing or recent history of respiratory failure (either primary or secondary)
  • PaO2 <60 mmHg if breathing room air or PaO2/FiO2 <300 mmHg if receiving supplemental oxygen
  • Acute dyspnea with respiratory rate >25 bpm and accessory muscle recruitment and/or paradoxical abdominal breathing

Exclusion Criteria:

  • Refusing noninvasive ventilation
  • Comatose (Glasgow Coma Scale <8) or unable to maintain a patent airway
  • Hemodynamically unstable (systolic blood pressure <80 mmHg on recruitment, or receiving vasopressors/inotropes; ongoing angina/myocardial infarction; newly-developed arrhythmia with hemodynamic impact)
  • Having recently (≤2 weeks) undergone oesophageal or upper respiratory tract surgery

Study Plan

This section provides details of the study plan, including how the study is designed and what the study is measuring.

How is the study designed?

Design Details

  • Primary Purpose: Treatment
  • Allocation: Randomized
  • Interventional Model: Parallel Assignment
  • Masking: None (Open Label)

Arms and Interventions

Participant Group / Arm
Intervention / Treatment
Active Comparator: Helmet
Patients in this group will receive continuous positive airway pressure delivered through a helmet connected to a high-flow reservoir system.
Continuous positive airway pressure for up to 24 h. Initial pressure will be 5 cmH2O, and will be increased by 2-3 cmH2O up to 10 cmH2O, in order to maintain SpO2 ≥90%.
Other Names:
  • Continuous Positive Airway Pressure
  • Noninvasive Ventilation
  • 4-Vent helmet (Rüsch, Germany)
Experimental: Mask
Patients in this group will receive continuous positive-airway pressure delivered through a novel full-face mask connected to a high-flow system. Expiratory pressure will be maintained using an expiratory valve connected to a T-tube.
Continuous positive airway pressure for up to 24 h. Initial pressure will be 5 cmH2O, and will be increased by 2-3 cmH2O up to 10 cmH2O, in order to maintain SpO2 ≥90%.
Other Names:
  • Continuous Positive Airway Pressure
  • Noninvasive Ventilation
  • Novastar mask (Dräger GmbH, Lubeck, Germany)

What is the study measuring?

Primary Outcome Measures

Outcome Measure
Time Frame
Differences in PaO2/FiO2 ratio with respect to baseline (before NIV) values.
Time Frame: 24 h
24 h

Secondary Outcome Measures

Outcome Measure
Time Frame
PaO2/FiO2 improvement at 1 h after beginning of ventilation.
Time Frame: 1 h after enrollment
1 h after enrollment
Arterial carbon dioxide partial pressure (PaCO2)
Time Frame: At 1 and 24 h post-enrollment
At 1 and 24 h post-enrollment
Arterial blood pressure and incidence of hypotension (systolic blood pressure <90 mmHg or mean arterial blood pressure <60 mmHg)
Time Frame: Up to 24 h post-enrollment
Up to 24 h post-enrollment
Need for intubation
Time Frame: Up to 24 h post-enrollment
Up to 24 h post-enrollment
Intensive care unit stay
Time Frame: Up to 30 days
Up to 30 days
In-hospital mortality
Time Frame: Up to 30 days
Up to 30 days
Device-related complications: pressure sores, skin necrosis, air leak, eye inflammation, gastric distension.
Time Frame: Up to 24 h post-enrollment
Up to 24 h post-enrollment
Patient's rating of comfort with the device. Numerical rating scale ranging from 1 (unbearable) to 5 (very good.)
Time Frame: At 1 and 24 h post-enrollment
At 1 and 24 h post-enrollment
Success rate of NIV as delivered with either helmet or full-face mask. Success is defined as ≥50 mmHg improvement of PaO2/FiO2 ratio.
Time Frame: 24 h from initiation of therapy
24 h from initiation of therapy

Collaborators and Investigators

This is where you will find people and organizations involved with this study.

Investigators

  • Study Chair: Guido Fanelli, MD, Dept. of Anesthesiology and Critical Care Medicine, University of Parma, Italy
  • Principal Investigator: Maria Barbagallo, MD, UO II Anestesia, Rianimazione e Terapia Antalgica, Azienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria di Parma

Publications and helpful links

The person responsible for entering information about the study voluntarily provides these publications. These may be about anything related to the study.

General Publications

Study record dates

These dates track the progress of study record and summary results submissions to ClinicalTrials.gov. Study records and reported results are reviewed by the National Library of Medicine (NLM) to make sure they meet specific quality control standards before being posted on the public website.

Study Major Dates

Study Start

May 1, 2008

Primary Completion (Actual)

July 1, 2010

Study Completion (Actual)

July 1, 2010

Study Registration Dates

First Submitted

July 21, 2009

First Submitted That Met QC Criteria

July 22, 2009

First Posted (Estimate)

July 23, 2009

Study Record Updates

Last Update Posted (Estimate)

November 5, 2013

Last Update Submitted That Met QC Criteria

November 4, 2013

Last Verified

November 1, 2013

More Information

This information was retrieved directly from the website clinicaltrials.gov without any changes. If you have any requests to change, remove or update your study details, please contact register@clinicaltrials.gov. As soon as a change is implemented on clinicaltrials.gov, this will be updated automatically on our website as well.

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