Thanks for Crimi et al.’s comment [1]. The following is our response to your comment.
We recommend HFNC as a first-line treatment for patients with “severe” COVID-19 in the small discussion chapter of this review article. We are sorry for not giving clear definition of severe COVID-19 in our discussion chapter. The definition of severe COVID-19 here is to use 6–15 L O2/min (FiO2 0.4–0.6) to achieve the target SpO2 (≥90% for nonpregnant patients and ≥92–95% for pregnant patients) [2]. In other words, HFNC may be suggested as a first-line treatment in patients with severe COVID-19 if COT (conventional oxygen therapy) can not meet adequate oxygenation in those patients, and IMV (invasive mechanical ventilation) is not indicated at the time. However, more well-designed RCTs in the future are needed to support this idea.
Indeed, a personalized and stepwise approach is important in treating COVID-19 patients with hypoxemic respiratory failure. Although there is still uncertainty about optimal oxygen strategy in COVID-19 patients with hypoxemic respiratory failure, HFNC may play an important role in a stepwise approach because of its great comfort for the patients.
We have learned much from your comment. Thank you again.
Funding
This research received no external funding.
Conflicts of Interest
The authors declare no conflict of interest.
References
- Crimi, C.; Cortegiani, A. Comment on Liu et al. Application of High-Flow Nasal Cannula in COVID-19: A Narrative Review. Life 2022, 12, 1419. Life 2022, 12, 1625. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
- Bonnesen, B.; Jensen, J.-U.S.; Jeschke, K.N.; Mathioudakis, A.G.; Corlateanu, A.; Hansen, E.F.; Weinreich, U.M.; Hilberg, O.; Sivapalan, P. Management of COVID-19-Associated Acute Respiratory Failure with Alternatives to Invasive Mechanical Ventilation: High-Flow Oxygen, Continuous Positive Airway Pressure, and Noninvasive Ventilation. Diagnostics 2021, 11, 2259. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef] [PubMed]
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