Table 2 Comparing baseline characteristics and outcomes of patients initiated on HFNC post extubation (n = 46)

Age, years

64 (53–71)

61 (52–72)

0.982

Male gender

17 (56.7)

7 (43.8)

0.978

Charlson comorbidity index

5 (3–6)

4 (3–6)

0.557

Moderate to severe CKD

4 (13.3)

2 (12.5)

1.000

Congestive heart failure

1 (3.3)

2 (12.5)

0.274

Chronic respiratory disease

3 (21.4)

1 (8.3)

0.598

Immunocompromised host

11 (36.7)

12 (75.0)

0.029

 Solid organ cancer with chemotherapy

4 (36.4)

1 (8.3)

0.155

 Hematological transplant or malignancy

6 (54.5)

4 (33.3)

0.414

 Chronic immunosuppressive therapy

1 (9.1)

6 (50.0)

0.069

 HIV/AIDS

0 (0.0)

1 (8.3)

1.000

APACHE II*

15 (13–19)

16 (11–21)

0.899

SOFA*

5 (3–9)

4 (3-7)

0.368

 Pneumonia

25 (83.3)

14 (87.5)

1.000

 Interstitial lung disease/drug induced pneumonitis

3 (10.0)

0 (0.0)

0.542

 Cancer/Lymphangitis carcinomatosis

0 (0.0)

2 (12.5)

0.116

 Others

2 (6.7)

0 (0.0)

0.536

Duration of mechanical ventilation before extubation, h

94 (53–197)

171 (92–194)

0.137

Vasopressor support at time of HFNC initiation

0 (0.0)

0 (0.0)

NA

Number of quadrants affected on CXR

3 (3–4)

4 (3–4)

0.327

 pH

7.46 (7.43–7.48)

7.45 (7.41–7.48)

0.406

 PaO₂/FIO₂ ratio

165 153–190)

157 (129–180)

0.122

 PaCO_2, mmHg

41 (36–44)

41 (38–45)

0.773

 Serum bicarbonate, μmol/L

27 (24–30)

27 (24–31)

0.936

Duration of HFNC, h

29.3 (22.6–49.8)

46.0 (9.6–86.6)

0.827

Max FIO₂ on HFNC

50 (50–60)

80 (60–100)

< 0.001

Max flow on HFNC, L/min

50 (40–50)

60 (50–60)

0.021

Hospital mortality

6 (20.0)

10 (62.5)

0.004

ICU mortality

4 (13.3)

8 (50.0)

0.013