Abstract: Objective To explore the therapeutic effect of high-flow nasal insufflation (HFNI) in the elderly patients with acute respiratory failure complicated with comorbidities. Methods By comparing with noninvasive ventilation (NIV), the therapeutic effect, comfort, and tolerance of the patients with acute respiratory failure after HFNI were analyzed. Results The levels of pH and arterial partial pressure of carbon dioxide(PaCO₂) in the two groups showed a downward trend compared with those before treatment(P＞0.05); The levels of arterial partial pressure of oxygen(PaO₂) and oxygenation index showed an upward trend, but there were no statistical difference between the two groups(P>0.05). After treatment, the HFNI group had significant improvements in comfort, sputum viscosity and dyspnea compared with the NIV group (P<0.05), and the average hospital stay was lower than that of the NIV group(P<0.05).But the mortality and failure rate of treatment showed no statistical difference between the two groups (P>0.05). Conclusions Both HFNI and NIV can be used in the elderly patients with acute respiratory failure complicated with comorbidities to improve the oxygenation function of patients. Compared with NIV, HFNI is more comfortable and has fewer side effects.

Key words: high-flow nasal insufflation, aged, comorbidities, acute respiratory failure