Utilidad de la oxigenoterapia por cánula nasal de alto flujo en lactantes con bronquiolitis con insuficiencia respiratoria aguda atendidos en cuidados críticos pediátricos del Hospital Roberto Gilbert Elizalde en el período enero 2015-diciembre 2018.

Abstract

Introduction: The evidence regarding the use of oxygen therapy through a high-flow cannula in patients with bronchiolitis is currently inconclusive. In our setting, there are few studies on the application of high-flow oxygen therapy by nasal cannula (OAF) in patients with bronchiolitis. At present it does not establish its benefit in reducing the number of patients who arrive on mechanical ventilation and admissions to the pediatric intensive care unit. Methods: An observational, retrospective, cross-sectional, descriptive study was carried out in which all patients with a diagnosis of bronchiolitis who met the inclusion and exclusion criteria attended at the Roberto Gilbert Hospital from January 2015 to December 2018 were included. Results: A total of 65 patients were found that met all the criteria, both inclusion and exclusion. An average respiratory rate of 54.7 breaths per minute was found, 100% of the patients had a heart rate above 120 beats per minute, an average oxygen saturation of 96.8%. The average number of days in OAF was 3.4 days; 5.6 days in critical care; 10.9 total days of hospitalization. 10.7% of the patients required mechanical ventilation, 3% reported some complication, and 1.5% died. Conclusions: According to the results obtained in this study, intubation rates in infants with bronchiolitis treated with OAF is only 10.7%, comparable to that of other series. It is a safe non-invasive method, only 3% complications were reported.