High-flow nasal cannula oxygen therapy may be considered as an initial respiratory therapy for trauma patients with blunt chest injury. High-flow nasal cannula therapy could improve lung aeration as noted by the transthoracic lung ultrasound assessment, and LUS may help the attending physicians identify the usefulness of HFNC therapy and decide whether to continue the use of HFNC therapy or intubate the patient. During the study period, 50 patients with blunt chest trauma were admitted to the study; 18 patients received HFNC therapy and 32 received conventional oxygen therapy (COT); there was no significant difference in the baseline clinical characteristics between the 2 groups. The length of ICU stay and intubation rate for respiratory failure within 72 hours were significantly different between the 2 groups ( P < .05), but there was no difference in the 28-day mortality.

Read More