USE OF HIGH-FLOW NASAL CANNULA IN THE MANAGEMENT OF ATTACKS IN CHILDREN WITH ASTHMA

Abstract

Objective- To evaluate the protocols and benefits associated with the use of high-flow nasal cannula (HFNC) in periods of asthma attacks in children. Methods- This is a systematic review based on the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta Analysis (PRISMA) methodology. This study included original articles that studied the effects of the use of HFNC in the management of asthma attacks in the pediatric population and written in Portuguese, English, and Spanish, published on the Virtual Health Library (VHL) website, in the Scientific Electronic Library Online (SciELO), Physiotherapy Evidence Database (PEDro), and in the PubMed database.  using the descriptors "Asthma", "children", "pediatrics" and "high flow nasal cannula". Results- Initially, 140 published articles were identified and, according to the inclusion, exclusion and eligibility criteria, in the end 8 were selected for qualitative analysis. Of the selected articles, only one evaluated the benefits associated with the use of HFNC, presenting satisfactory results in improving the oxygenation of patients. When compared to oxygen therapy, HFNC presented similar results in most studies. In comparison with BiPAP, in one study, HFNC presented lower results than NIV. Conclusion- Despite the physiological benefits related to the use of HFNC in the management of asthma attacks, studies are still needed to better describe the protocols and main outcomes in the pediatric age group.