AIRAPY

AIRAPY (Acute In-hospital Respiratory therapy for patients with Acute exacerbation of chronic obstructive Pulmonary disease) is a clinical trial and therapeutic protocol developed by Præhospitalet (Central Denmark Region) to evaluate the efficacy of High-Flow Nasal Oxygen (HFNO) in patients experiencing acute exacerbations of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (AECOPD). The intervention utilizes a specialized device to deliver warmed and humidified oxygen at high flow rates (typically 30–60 L/min), which provides several physiological advantages over standard oxygen therapy. These benefits include the generation of a modest level of positive end-expiratory pressure (PEEP), a reduction in respiratory rate and work of breathing, and improved clearance of carbon dioxide through the flushing of anatomical dead space in the upper airways. The AIRAPY study specifically investigates whether early initiation of HFNO in the prehospital or early hospital setting can improve clinical outcomes and reduce the requirement for non-invasive or invasive mechanical ventilation.

Other names

Acute In-hospital Respiratory therapy for patients with Acute exacerbation of chronic obstructive Pulmonary diseaseHFNO in AECOPD