Comparison of High-Flow Nasal Cannula and Tight Face Mask for Maintaining Oxygenation During Rapid Sequence Induction

Starting soon · Not applicable

Conditions studied: Hypoxemia, Airway Management, Endotracheal Intubation, Rapid Sequence Induction

In brief

This prospective randomized controlled trial aims to compare the effectiveness of High-Flow Nasal Cannula (HFNC) versus Tight Face Mask (TFM) in maintaining oxygenation during rapid sequence induction (RSI) for endotracheal intubation in adult patients. Participants will be randomly assigned in a 1:1 ratio to receive either HFNC or TFM for preoxygenation before induction of anesthesia. The primary outcome is the lowest peripheral oxygen saturation (SpO₂) recorded from induction until successful endotracheal intubation. Secondary outcomes include the incidence of oxygen desaturation (\<90%), duration of apnea, duration of laryngoscopy, intubation time, number of intubation attempts, and peri-intubation complications. The study will determine whether HFNC provides superior oxygenation compared with conventional face mask preoxygenation during RSI and may contribute to improving airway management protocols and patient safety.

Key facts

Study ID

NCT07723430

Run by

Khyber Teaching Hospital

People needed

290

Starts

2026-08-01

Expected to finish

2027-02-20

Last updated by the study team

2026-07-23

Who can join

Age: 18 and older. Sex: any. Healthy volunteers: not accepted.

You may qualify if…

• Adults aged 18 years or older.
• Patients requiring rapid sequence induction (RSI) for endotracheal intubation in the operating room, emergency department, or intensive care unit.
• Patients in whom both high-flow nasal cannula (HFNC) and tight face mask preoxygenation are technically feasible.
• Patients (or their legally authorized representatives, when applicable) able to provide written informed consent.

You may not qualify if…

• Patients requiring immediate crash intubation without sufficient time for preoxygenation.
• Patients with facial deformities, upper airway obstruction, or other conditions preventing the use of either HFNC or a tight face mask.
• Known contraindications or hypersensitivity to medications used for rapid sequence induction.
• Pregnant women.
• Patients younger than 18 years of age.
• Patients with do-not-intubate (DNI) orders.
• Patients already intubated or mechanically ventilated before enrollment.
• Patients who underwent endotracheal intubation within the previous 24 hours.

Full record on ClinicalTrials.gov

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