Nasal high flow application for perioperative support of respiratory system in adult patients

Perioperative respiratory support is by far the most significant goal of anesthesiologists. Maintenance of oxygenation within safe limits is achieved using conventional oxygen devices and pressure support ventilation in order to reduce adverse respiratory and non-respiratory events. Over the past decade, nasal high flow (NHF) has been introduced for oxygen therapy in adults with hypoxemic respiratory failure. In the present review, we present the physiologic effects of NHF that make it suitable for respiratory support during the perioperative period of adult patients, its clinical implications and compare it to current clinical practice.