High flow oxygen therapy versus conventional oxygen therapy in dogs and cats undergoing bronchoscopy and bronchoalveolar lavage: a pilot study.

Abstract

OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the safety and feasibility of high flow oxygen therapy (HFOT), and to record SpOand desaturation episodes in dogs and cats receiving HFOT or conventional oxygen therapy (COT) during bronchoscopy &#xb1; bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL). MATERIALS AND METHODS: Dogs and cats undergoing bronchoscopy &#xb1; BAL between January and May 2023 were included in the study. Patients were randomly allocated to two groups: HFOT (HFOT group; two cats and four dogs) and COT (COT group; one cat and five dogs). HFOT and COT were started at the beginning of the bronchoscopy. HFOT was delivered with a gas flow rate of 1&#x2009;L/kg/min at an FiOof 100% and a temperature of 34&#xb0;C (pediatric mode) or 37&#xb0;C (adult mode). COT was delivered through the working channel of the bronchoscope at a rate of 1.5&#x2009;L/min. The safety and feasibility of HFOT were assessed, and peripheral oxygen saturation (SpO) was measured by pulse oximetry every 30&#x2009;s throughout the procedure. MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS: HFOT was feasible and safe in both dogs and cats with no complications reported. While there was no significant difference in the number of desaturation episodes (SpO&#x2009;<&#x2009;94%) between the two groups, none of the patients in the HFOT group experienced severe desaturation (SpO&#x2009;<&#x2009;90%). In contrast, two patients in the COT group had an SpO&#x2009;<&#x2009;90%. Mean SpOwas significantly higher in the HFOT group compared to the COT group at T0 (98%&#x2009;&#xb1;&#x2009;2% vs. 94&#x2009;&#xb1;&#x2009;2%), T0.5 (98%&#x2009;&#xb1;&#x2009;2% vs. 94%&#x2009;&#xb1;&#x2009;3%) and T1 (98%&#x2009;&#xb1;&#x2009;2% vs. 94%&#x2009;&#xb1;&#x2009;4%). CONCLUSION: To the authors' knowledge, this is the largest study conducted to date using HFOT during bronchoscopy in dogs and cats. Our results suggest that HFOT is feasible and safe during bronchoscopy &#xb1; BAL. Furthermore, HFOT may reduce the risk of desaturation episodes in dogs and cats undergoing bronchoscopy and BAL.