A randomized controlled trial found that high-flow nasal cannula (HFNC) oxygenation reduced the incidence of hypoxia in patients with obesity undergoing sedated gastrointestinal endoscopy, offering a safer alternative. The study showed that HFNC oxygenation significantly decreased hypoxia, subclinical respiratory depression, and severe hypoxia without increasing adverse events. The findings could have implications for clinical guidelines as obesity rates and sedated endoscopic procedures continue to rise.

Source: The BMJ