# High-flow vs conventional oxygen therapies for acute cardiogenic pulmonary edema following hip fractures and surgery in elderly patients

## TL;DR

This study compares high-flow and conventional oxygen therapies in elderly patients with acute lung issues after hip surgery, finding high-flow improves oxygen levels faster.

## Contribution

The study introduces high-flow oxygen therapy as a more effective option for acute cardiogenic pulmonary edema in elderly post-surgery patients.

## Key findings

- High-flow oxygen therapy significantly increased PO2 compared to conventional therapy.
- Blood oxygen saturation (SPO2) was also significantly higher with high-flow therapy.
- High-flow therapy is recommended when conventional therapy fails to improve symptoms within 15 minutes.

## Abstract

This prospective, randomized controlled study aimed to compare the effects of high-flow oxygen therapy and conventional oxygen therapy in the treatment of acute cardiogenic pulmonary edema following hip fractures and surgery in elderly patients.

From February 2018 to October 2023, 124 patients diagnosed with acute cardiogenic pulmonary edema following hip fractures and surgery were randomly assigned to the high-flow oxygen therapy group (n=62) or conventional oxygen therapy group (n=65). Partial pressure of oxygen (PO2) and blood oxygen saturation (SPO2) were assessed 60 minutes after the treatments. A P value <0.05 was considered statistically significant.

There were significant differences in PO2 (66.2 ± 3.3 mmHg vs 62.1 ± 3.4 mmHg, P<0.05) and SPO2 (97.8 ± 2.1 mmHg vs 94.2 ± 1.7 mmHg, P<0.05) between the groups.

In the treatment of elderly patients with ACPE following hip fractures and surgery, high-flow oxygen therapy may be performed to improve ventilation when acute cardiogenic pulmonary edema does not significantly improve within 15 minutes of conventional oxygen therapy.