High flow nasal oxygen therapy (HFNO2) is gaining popularity of late and rapidly recognised as new oxygen therapy in the treatment of respiratory failure, and the fame exploded exponentially after the COVID-19 pandemic.

HFNO2 was initially invented for neonates to provide continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP). The conventional tight-fitting face mask makes neonates vulnerable to pressure sores, so the design of HFNO2 is to provide CPAP via a specially designed cannula that fits in those tiny little nostrils without compromising blood flow to the skin.

HFNO2 consists of a nasal cannula, an air/oxygen blender and a humidication device.

The warm humidified air helps to maintain normal mucociliary function along the respiratory epithelium and prevent airway dryness.

It can provide FiO2 close to 1.0 to improve the oxygen reserve and reduce anatomical dead space.

The CPAP effects improve end-expiratory lung volume and alveolar recruitment.

It allows modification of Fi02 0.21-1.0 and flow of 40-60 L/min.

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