Comparison of Effect of Non-invasive Ventilation Delivered by Helmet vs Face Mask in Patients with COVID-19 Infection: A Randomized Control Study

Anupriya Saxena; Nazia Nazir; Ruchi Pandey; Savita Gupta

doi:10.5005/jp-journals-10071-24155

Comparison of Effect of Non-invasive Ventilation Delivered by Helmet vs Face Mask in Patients with COVID-19 Infection: A Randomized Control Study

Indian J Crit Care Med. 2022 Mar;26(3):282-287. doi: 10.5005/jp-journals-10071-24155.

Authors

Anupriya Saxena¹, Nazia Nazir², Ruchi Pandey³, Savita Gupta⁴

Affiliations

¹ Anaesthesia, Government Institute of Medical Sciences, New Delhi, India.
² Anesthesiology and Critical Care, Government Institute of Medical Sciences, Greater Noida, Uttar Pradesh, India.
³ Community Medicine, Government Institute of Medical Sciences, Greater Noida, Uttar Pradesh, India.
⁴ Department of Anaesthesia, Government Institute of Medical Sciences, Greater Noida, Uttar Pradesh, India.

Abstract

Background and aims: We compared the effectiveness of non-invasive ventilation (NIV) provided by helmet mask vs face mask in patients with COVID-19.

Methods and materials: Between March and May 2021, a single-center, prospective, open-label randomized controlled research was undertaken. Sixty patients were randomly assigned to one of two groups based on the NIV delivery interface. In group I (n = 30) helmet mask was used and in group II (n = 30) face mask was used for delivery of NIV. The proportion of patients in each group who required endotracheal intubation was the primary outcome. The duration of NIV, length of stay in the intensive care unit (ICU), hospital mortality, ratio of partial pressure of oxygen to fraction of inspired oxygen (PaO₂/FiO₂), respiratory rate, patient comfort, and complications were all documented as secondary outcomes.

Results: In both groups, demographics, clinical characteristics, and treatment received were comparable. Around 10% of patients in the helmet mask group were intubated, while 43.3% of patients in the face mask group were intubated (p = 0.004). The two groups demonstrated similar hemodynamic patterns. The use of a helmet mask, on the other hand, resulted in enhanced oxygenation (263.57 ± 31.562 vs 209.33 ± 20.531, p = 0.00), higher patient satisfaction (p = 0.001), a lower risk of complications, and a shorter NIV and ICU stay (p = 0.001) (4.53 ± 0.776 vs 7.60 ± 1.354, p = 0.00 and 6.37 ± 0.556 vs 11.57 ± 2.161, p = 0.00).

Conclusion: Helmet mask could be a reliable interface for delivery of NIV in COVID-19 and results in a lower rate of endotracheal intubation, better oxygenation with greater patient comfort and shorter ICU stay as compared to face mask used for NIV.

How to cite this article: Saxena A, Nazir N, Pandey R, Gupta S. Comparison of Effect of Non-invasive Ventilation Delivered by Helmet vs Face Mask in Patients with COVID-19 Infection: A Randomized Control Study. Indian J Crit Care Med 2022;26(3):282-287.

Keywords: COVID-19; Critical care unit; Face mask; Helmet continuous positive airway pressure; Hypoxia; Non-invasive ventilation.