Vapotherm Study Demonstrates Better Outcomes for Pediatric Asthma Patients Treated with High-Velocity Therapy

Vapotherm, a global medical technology company, presented an investigator-initiated clinical trial at the European Respiratory Society International Congress 2023. The trial, titled “High flow humidified oxygen as an early intervention in children with acute severe asthma – a feasibility randomized controlled trial,” was conducted in the UK and examined the use of Vapotherm’s high-velocity therapy in children with severe asthma exacerbations.

The study evaluated 50 children who presented to the Emergency Department with acute, severe, asthma exacerbations that did not respond to initial pharmacologic treatment. It found that children treated with Vapotherm’s therapy required less escalation of therapy and met hospital discharge criteria faster than those receiving standard oxygen therapy. Eighty-six percent (19/22) of children treated with standard oxygen required escalation of therapy, while only 61% (17/28) of children treated with HVNI needed further escalation. In addition, children treated with HVNI met hospital discharge criteria in a median time of 29 hours, compared to a median time of 37 hours for those treated with standard oxygen.

Vapotherm’s high-velocity therapy serves the $8 billion global respiratory distress device market. Respiratory distress is a common condition caused by COPD, Pneumonia, Heart Failure, Asthma, COVID-19 and other diseases. The company’s high-velocity therapy solution is a maskless support to patients needing respiratory support. About a third of patients needing traditional mask-based respiratory support are mask-intolerant, risking failed treatment, cost of care, and care escalation. Using the Vapotherm’s high velocity therapy allows patients to eat, drink, talk, and take oral medications while receiving respiratory and oxygenation support. The technique has shown non-inferiority to Nasal intermittent positive pressure ventilation (NIPPV), with greater simplicity and patient comfort.

This research has the potential to offer more effective and efficient treatment for the millions of children worldwide who suffer from asthma, reducing healthcare costs and improving patient outcomes.