Beneficial Effects of Noninvasive Ventilation after Extubation in Obese or Overweight Patients: A <i>Post Hoc</i> Analysis of a Randomized Clinical Trial
Authors: Arnaud W. Thille, Rémi Coudroy, Mai-Anh Nay, Arnaud Gacouin, Maxens Decavèle, Romain Sonneville, François Beloncle, Christophe Girault, Laurence Dangers, Alexandre Lautrette, Quentin Levrat, Anahita Rouzé, Emmanuel Vivier, Jean-Baptiste Lascarrou, Jean-Damien Ricard, Armand Mekontso-Dessap, Guillaume Barberet, Christine Lebert, Stephan Ehrmann, Alexandre Massri, Jeremy Bourenne, Gael Pradel, Pierre Bailly, Nicolas Terzi, Jean Dellamonica, Guillaume Lacave, René Robert, Jean-Pierre Frat, Stéphanie Ragot, Florence Boissier, Delphine Chatellier, Céline Deletage, Carole Guignon, Florent Joly, Morgane Olivry, Anne Veinstein, Dalila Benzekri-Lefevre, Thierry Boulain, Grégoire Muller, Yves Le Tulzo, Jean-Marc Tadié, Adel Maamar, Suela Demiri, Julien Mayaux, Alexandre Demoule, Lila Bouadma, Claire Dupuis, Pierre Asfar, Marc Pierrot, Gaëtan Béduneau, Déborah Boyer, Benjamin Delmas, Bérénice Puech, Konstantinos Bachoumas, Edouard Soum, Séverin Cabasson, Marie-Anne Hoppe, Saad Nseir, Olivier Pouly, Gaël Bourdin, Sylvène Rosselli, Anthony Le Meur, Charlotte Garret, Maelle Martin, Guillaume Berquier, Abirami Thiagarajah, Guillaume Carteaux, Keyvan Razazi, Antoine Poidevin, Anne-Florence Dureau, Marie-Ange Azais, Gwenhaël Colin, Emmanuelle Mercier, Marlène Morisseau, Caroline Sabatier, Walter Picard, Marc Gainnier, Thi-My-Hue Nguyen, Gwenaël Prat, Carole Schwebel, Matthieu Buscot
Journal: American Journal of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine (2021)

Rationale: Although noninvasive ventilation (NIV) may prevent reintubation in patients at high risk of extubation failure in ICUs, this oxygenation strategy has not been specifically assessed in obese patients. Objectives: We hypothesized that NIV may decrease the risk of reintubation in obese patients compared with high-flow nasal oxygen. Methods:Post hoc analysis of a multicenter randomized controlled trial (not prespecified) comparing NIV alternating with high-flow nasal oxygen versus high-flow nasal oxygen alone after extubation, with the aim of assessing NIV effects according to patient body mass index (BMI). Measurements and Main Results: Among 623 patients at high risk of extubation failure, 206 (33%) were obese (BMI ⩾ 30 kg/m2), 204 (33%) were overweight (25 kg/m2 ⩽ BMI < 30 kg/m2), and 213 (34%) were normal or underweight (BMI < 25 kg/m2). Significant heterogeneity of NIV effects on the rate of reintubation was found according to BMI (Pinteraction = 0.007). Reintubation rates at Day 7 were significantly lower with NIV alternating with high-flow nasal oxygen than with high-flow nasal oxygen alone in obese or overweight patients: 7% (15/204) versus 20% (41/206) (difference, -13% [95% confidence interval, -19 to -6]; P = 0.0002), whereas it did not significantly differ in normal or underweight patients. In-ICU mortality was significantly lower with NIV than with high-flow nasal oxygen alone in obese or overweight patients (2% vs. 9%; difference, -6% [95% confidence interval, -11 to -2]; P = 0.006). Conclusions: Prophylactic NIV alternating with high-flow nasal oxygen immediately after extubation significantly decreased the risk of reintubation and death compared with high-flow nasal oxygen alone in obese or overweight patients at high risk of extubation failure. By contrast, NIV was not effective in normal or underweight patients. Clinical trial registered with www.clinicaltrials.gov (NCT03121482).