Airvo is a brand of high flow nasal cannula therapy. It delivers heated, humidified oxygen and air through a soft nasal tube at flow rates that are higher than a standard oxygen mask can comfortably provide. Doctors use it for conditions where a person needs more oxygen support than a basic nasal cannula can give, but does not yet need a mechanical ventilator.
The device is made by Fisher & Paykel Healthcare. It blends room air with oxygen, warms the mixture to body temperature, and adds moisture so the airways do not dry out. That combination is what separates it from older oxygen delivery methods. The heated humidification allows the higher flow rates to be tolerated at all.
What Is Airvo Used For High Flow Oxygen Therapy?
Airvo is used to support breathing in patients who have low blood oxygen levels or who are working hard to breathe. It sits in a middle zone of respiratory care. It offers more support than a simple nasal cannula or face mask, but it is less invasive than a ventilator with a breathing tube.
The therapy goes by several names. Clinicians may call it high flow nasal cannula, heated humidified high flow therapy, or simply high flow. Airvo is one brand of equipment that provides this therapy. Other manufacturers make similar devices.
Common clinical uses include:
- Acute hypoxemic respiratory failure, where oxygen levels in the blood drop suddenly
- Respiratory distress from conditions like pneumonia or severe chest infections
- Support after a patient is removed from a mechanical ventilator, a step called weaning
- Treatment of acute bronchiolitis in infants and young children
- Pre-oxygenation before a procedure that requires a breathing tube
- Breathing support for some patients with heart failure and fluid in the lungs
The exact settings, flow rates, and oxygen concentrations are chosen by clinicians based on the individual patient. There is no single universal setting. Flow rates for adults typically range from 30 to 60 liters per minute at some hospitals, but the specific numbers are set by the care team and vary by device, patient size, and clinical situation.
How Does High Flow Therapy Actually Work?
High flow therapy helps in a few distinct ways, and understanding them explains why it can work when simpler oxygen delivery does not.
First, it delivers a precise and stable oxygen concentration. A standard face mask mixes oxygen with room air, so the actual amount the patient breathes in can vary. High flow systems control the blend more tightly.
Second, the high flow rate matches or exceeds what the patient is breathing in on their own. This washes out the carbon dioxide that collects in the upper airway, providing a small but real improvement in the air the patient rebreathes.
Third, the flow creates a mild positive pressure in the airway. This is gentler than the pressure from a ventilator mask, but it can help keep small air sacs in the lungs open and reduce the effort of breathing.
Fourth, the heated humidification keeps the airway from drying out. Cold, dry oxygen at high flow rates irritates the nose and throat and can cause bleeding and discomfort. Warming and moistening the gas makes the higher flow tolerable for hours or days.
These four effects together are why high flow therapy can support some patients who would otherwise need more invasive breathing help.
When Is Airvo Used Instead of a Ventilator?
Airvo and similar high flow systems are often used as a step between standard oxygen and mechanical ventilation. The goal is to support the patient’s own breathing without taking over the work of breathing entirely.
This approach is sometimes called non-invasive respiratory support. It avoids the risks that come with a breathing tube, including sedation, infection, and injury to the airway.
High flow therapy is not right for every patient. If a person is not breathing on their own, is unconscious, or has a condition where the airway must be protected, a ventilator is still needed. High flow therapy supports breathing. It does not replace the ability to breathe.
Clinicians also use it after a patient comes off a ventilator. The transition from full breathing support back to normal breathing can be difficult. High flow therapy can bridge that gap and reduce the chance of needing to go back on the ventilator.
Some evidence indicates that high flow therapy may reduce the need for intubation in certain patients with acute hypoxemic respiratory failure compared with standard oxygen therapy. The evidence is strongest in specific patient groups and less clear in others. It is not a universal replacement for ventilation.
Is High Flow Therapy Safe?
High flow nasal cannula therapy is generally well tolerated. Because it does not require a tight-fitting mask or a breathing tube, many patients find it more comfortable than other forms of support. They can eat, drink, and talk while receiving it.
That said, it is a medical treatment used in monitored settings. It is not a home therapy for most people, and it is not appropriate for everyone.
Possible issues include:
- Nasal dryness or irritation, though humidification reduces this
- Discomfort from the flow or the nasal prongs
- Bloating if air enters the stomach, which is uncommon
- Delayed escalation to a ventilator if a patient does not improve as expected
The last point matters. High flow therapy is a support tool, not a cure. If a patient’s breathing does not improve, the care team needs to recognize that and move to a higher level of support. Close monitoring is part of safe use.
No clinical guidelines currently support using high flow therapy as a substitute for ventilation in patients who clearly need a ventilator. The decision is made by the clinical team based on the patient’s condition and response to treatment.
What Conditions Are Treated With High Flow Oxygen?
The conditions most often treated with high flow therapy share a common feature. They all cause the patient to need more oxygen or to work harder to breathe than normal.
Acute hypoxemic respiratory failure is one of the most studied uses. This means the blood oxygen level has dropped and the lungs are not transferring oxygen well. Pneumonia and other severe lung infections are common causes.
Bronchiolitis in infants is another well-established use. This is a viral infection of the small airways that is common in young children. High flow therapy can help support their breathing and reduce the effort required. Some research suggests it may reduce the need for more intensive support in these infants.
Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, or COPD, can sometimes be managed with high flow therapy, though the evidence here is more mixed and the approach differs from its use in sudden respiratory failure. Some clinicians use it to help patients with COPD who are struggling, but it is not a standard first-line treatment for all COPD flare-ups.
Heart failure with fluid in the lungs is another situation where high flow therapy may be used. The mild pressure it provides can help move fluid out of the air spaces, though the evidence for this specific use is less established than for other conditions.
Post-surgical breathing support is a growing area. After certain surgeries, especially chest or abdominal procedures, patients may have trouble taking deep breaths. High flow therapy can help maintain oxygen levels during recovery.
How Does Airvo Compare to Other Oxygen Delivery Methods?
Understanding where high flow therapy fits helps clarify its role. It is not simply a better version of standard oxygen. It is a different level of support.
| Method | Flow Rate | Humidification | Typical Use |
|---|---|---|---|
| Standard nasal cannula | Low, often 1-6 L/min | None or minimal | Mild oxygen need |
| Simple face mask | Moderate, often 5-10 L/min | None | Moderate oxygen need |
| High flow nasal cannula | Higher, often 30-60 L/min in adults | Heated and humidified | Significant oxygen need with breathing effort |
| Non-invasive ventilation | Varies | Varies | Breathing support with a tight mask |
| Mechanical ventilator | Varies | Varies | Full breathing support with a tube |
The flow rate ranges shown here are general. Actual settings depend on the patient, the device, and the clinical situation. They are not fixed numbers that apply to everyone.
High flow therapy sits between standard oxygen and non-invasive ventilation in terms of support level. It is often tried before non-invasive ventilation or as an alternative when a tight mask is not tolerated.
What Should Patients and Families Expect?
If a patient is placed on high flow therapy, they will typically be in a hospital setting, often in an intensive care unit or a step-down unit. The device is connected to a wall oxygen supply or a tank, and the nasal prongs are placed gently in the nostrils.
The flow is started at a level the care team chooses and adjusted based on the patient’s oxygen levels, breathing rate, and comfort. The goal is to use the lowest support that keeps the patient stable.
Patients can usually eat, drink, and speak while on high flow therapy. This is one of its practical advantages over a tight-fitting mask.
If the patient improves, the flow and oxygen concentration are gradually reduced. If the patient does not improve, the team may increase support or move to a ventilator. This is not a failure of the therapy. It is a sign that the patient needs a different level of care.
Families often ask whether high flow therapy means the patient is very sick. It does mean the patient needs more support than a simple oxygen mask can provide. It does not automatically mean the patient will need a ventilator. Many patients improve with high flow therapy alone and never require a breathing tube.
What Does the Evidence Show?
Research on high flow nasal cannula therapy has grown substantially. Studies have compared it with standard oxygen therapy and with non-invasive ventilation in various patient groups.
Some evidence indicates that high flow therapy can reduce the need for intubation in certain patients with acute hypoxemic respiratory failure. Other studies have found benefits in comfort and tolerance compared with tight-fitting masks.
The evidence is not uniform across all conditions. In some situations, the benefits are clear. In others, the evidence is mixed or limited. For example, the evidence for high flow therapy in COPD flare-ups is less consistent than for acute hypoxemic respiratory failure.
No single study or guideline supports using high flow therapy for every patient with low oxygen. The decision is clinical and individualized.
What is well established is the physiology. Heated humidification allows higher flows to be tolerated. Those higher flows provide more stable oxygen delivery, wash out carbon dioxide from the upper airway, and create mild positive pressure. These effects are real and measurable. How much they translate into better outcomes depends on the patient and the condition.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Airvo used for?
Airvo is used to deliver heated, humidified oxygen and air through a nasal cannula at higher flow rates than a standard oxygen mask. It supports breathing in patients who need more oxygen than a simple cannula can provide but do not yet need a ventilator.
Is high flow oxygen therapy the same as a ventilator?
No. High flow therapy supports a patient’s own breathing, while a ventilator can take over the work of breathing entirely. High flow therapy is less invasive and does not require a breathing tube.
Can you eat and talk on high flow oxygen?
Yes, most patients can eat, drink, and speak while receiving high flow nasal cannula therapy. This is one reason it is often more comfortable than a tight-fitting oxygen mask.
How long can someone stay on Airvo therapy?
There is no fixed time limit. Patients may stay on high flow therapy for hours or several days, depending on their condition and how they respond. The care team adjusts the support based on the patient’s needs.
