Three major 2026 mechanical ventilation / respiratory support trials, summarized in full CCR 11-part format. Note: this category had fewer confirmed, fully-reported 2026 RCTs than Sepsis — 3 solid trials rather than 5. A 4th candidate (DESIGNATION, driving-pressure-guided PEEP) was published in JAMA 2025 and is excluded here as it predates the 2026 window; happy to add it as a bridging reference if useful.
Verdict | Trial | Journal | Takeaway |
⚪ | NEJM | HFNO vs standard oxygen in AHRF: 28d mortality identical (14.6% both arms, P=0.98). | |
🟡 | AJRCCM | Null overall (HR 0.96), but strong benefit in higher-recruitability subgroup (P=0.024). | |
⚪ | JAMA Netw Open | Prophylactic HFNOT after cardiac surgery: no benefit over standard oxygen. |