High-Flow Nasal Oxygen with or without Helmet Non-Invasive Ventilation for Oxygen Support in Acute Respiratory Failure
HONOUR
1
PURPOSE
The pilot study is designed to evaluate whether a larger, full-scale trial comparing two oxygen therapies for acute respiratory failure is feasible. It will examine how easily patients can be recruited, how well the assigned treatments are followed, how often patients require intubation, how long they remain in the ICU and hospital, and whether the therapies are safe and well-tolerated.
2
PROGRESS
patients enrolled
(as of Sept. 2025)
7
200
3
FUTURE
If the pilot study shows that a larger trial is feasible, the research team will launch a multinational randomized controlled trial. This future study will aim to determine whether helmet NIV combined with HFNO truly improves survival and reduces the need for invasive ventilation compared to HFNO alone. The findings could shape future guidelines for managing respiratory failure in ICUs worldwide.
What is HONOUR?
The HONOUR Pilot RCT is a clinical trial investigating two non-invasive oxygen therapies for adults with acute hypoxemic respiratory failure (AHRF): high-flow nasal oxygen (HFNO) alone vs. HFNO combined with helmet non-invasive ventilation (NIV). The goal is to determine which method better supports breathing and reduces the need for intubation and invasive mechanical ventilation.
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Why is this important?
AHRF is a leading cause of ICU admission and often requires invasive ventilation, which carries risks like lung injury and infection. Non-invasive strategies like HFNO and helmet NIV may help patients breathe more comfortably and avoid intubation. However, it’s still unclear which approach is more effective. This study aims to fill that gap and improve care for patients with severe respiratory failure, including those with COVID-19.
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Study Arms:
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CONTROL
INTERVENTION
