Using the ROX index to improve intubation timing in patients with respiratory failure

ROX Index Compared to Standard of Care for the Timing of Intubation in Patients Supported by Nasal High Flow: a Randomized Controlled Trial

Not applicable Interventional Hospital Universitari Vall d'Hebron Research Institute · NCT04707729

This study is testing if using the ROX index can help doctors decide when to intubate patients with severe breathing problems who are on high flow oxygen, to see if it leads to better outcomes.

Quick facts

PhaseNot applicable
Study typeInterventional
Enrollment630 (estimated)
Ages18 Years to 120 Years
SexAll
SponsorHospital Universitari Vall d'Hebron Research Institute Academic / other
Locations12 sites (Chicago, Illinois and 11 other locations)
Trial IDNCT04707729 on ClinicalTrials.gov

What this trial studies

This trial evaluates the effectiveness of the ROX index algorithm in determining the optimal timing for intubation in patients experiencing acute hypoxemic respiratory failure who are receiving nasal high flow oxygen therapy. It aims to compare the traditional criteria for intubation with the ROX index to see if earlier intubation can be achieved, potentially leading to better patient outcomes. The study is a multicenter, randomized controlled trial involving patients admitted to the intensive care unit. Participants will be monitored for their response to nasal high flow therapy and the timing of intubation will be assessed based on the ROX index.

Who should consider this trial

Good fit: Ideal candidates are adults over 18 years old with acute hypoxemic respiratory failure requiring nasal high flow support.

Not a fit: Patients who are younger than 18, have immediate intubation needs, or have a do-not-intubate order will not benefit from this study.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this approach could lead to improved survival rates and outcomes for patients with acute hypoxemic respiratory failure.

How similar studies have performed: While the ROX index has been validated in previous studies, this specific application for improving intubation timing is novel and has not been extensively tested.

Eligibility criteria

Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria:

* All consecutive patients older than 18 years with acute hypoxemic respiratory failure who need to be supported with nasal high flow (NHF) will be considered for inclusion.

  * Criteria for initiation of NHF if they had a respiratory rate \> 25 breaths/min and/or pulse oximetry (SpO2) \< 92% while receiving standard oxygen administered through a facemask at 10 L/mn or more.
  * Patients already treated with NHF for acute respiratory failure prior to ICU admission will be enrolled if duration of NHF prior to randomization does not exceed one hour.

Exclusion Criteria:

* Patients younger than 18 years old.
* Patients with indication for immediate intubation.
* Patients treated with NHF for more than 1h prior to randomization.
* Patients with do-not-intubate order.
* Patients electively intubated for diagnostic or therapeutic procedures. (fibrobronchoscopy, surgery).
* Patients with no pulmonary infiltrates on chest X-ray
* Patient with post-extubation AHRF.
* Awake ECMO.
* Pregnancy.
* Refusal to participate or participation in another interventional study with the same primary outcome.

Where this trial is running

Chicago, Illinois and 11 other locations

Study contacts

How to participate

  1. Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
  2. Visit the official trial page on ClinicalTrials.gov for the most current contact information and recruitment status.
  3. Contact the listed study coordinator or principal investigator to request pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.
Conditions Acute Hypoxemic Respiratory FailureHigh flow nasal cannulaNasal high flowHigh flow oxygen therapy
Last reviewed 2026-06-13 by the Find a Trial editorial team. Information on this page is for educational purposes and is not medical advice. Always consult qualified healthcare professionals about clinical trial participation.