Effect of nasopharyngeal snorkel on respiratory function in patients with stroke

Stroke causes significant mortality and morbidity. The clinical value of the nasopharyngeal snorkel was investigated in stroke patients with disorders of consciousness. A total of 155 stroke patients were randomly divided into two groups: a nasopharyngeal snorkel was used in the treatment group (n=78) and an oropharyngeal snorkel was used in the control group (n=77). The PaO2 and PCO2 of both groups improved 30 minutes after placement of the nasopharyngeal or oropharyngeal snorkel, with a reduction of systolic blood pressure (SBP), diastolic blood pressure (DBP), and heart rate (HR). The improvements in PCO2 was significant in the nasopharyngeal snorkel group (40.9 ± 3.3) compared with oropharyngeal snorkel group (47.8 ± 5.3) (P<0.05). Tracheal intubation was carried out in 15 (19.2%) patients in the nasopharyngeal snorkel group compared with 31 (40.3%) patients in the oropharyngeal snorkel group. Pulmonary infection occurred in 11 (14.1%) patients in the nasopharyngeal snorkel group and 19 (24.7%) patients in the oropharyngeal snorkel group. The incidence of tracheal intubation and pulmonary infection were significantly lower in the nasopharyngeal group (P<0.05). The placement of a nasopharyngeal snorkel was an effective treatment for upper airway obstruction in stroke patients.