RT Journal Article SR Electronic T1 Effects of Expiratory Rib-Cage Compression on Oxygenation, Ventilation, and Airway-Secretion Removal in Patients Receiving Mechanical Ventilation JF Respiratory Care FD American Association for Respiratory Care SP 1430 OP 1437 VO 50 IS 11 A1 Unoki, Takeshi A1 Kawasaki, Yuri A1 Mizutani, Taro A1 Fujino, Yoko A1 Yanagisawa, Yaeko A1 Ishimatsu, Shinichi A1 Tamura, Fumiko A1 Toyooka, Hidenori YR 2005 UL http://rc.rcjournal.com/content/50/11/1430.abstract AB BACKGROUND: Expiratory rib-cage compression, a chest physiotherapy technique, is well known as the “squeezing” technique in Japan. OBJECTIVE: To determine the effects of rib-cage compression on airway-secretion removal, oxygenation, and ventilation in patients receiving mechanical ventilation. SETTING: An intensive care unit of an emergency and critical care center at a tertiary-care teaching hospital in Tokyo, Japan. METHODS: Thirty-one intubated, mechanically ventilated patients in an intensive care unit were studied in a randomized, crossover trial. The patients received endotracheal suctioning with or without rib-cage compression, with a minimum 3-hour interval between the 2 interventions. Rib-cage compression was performed for 5 min before endotracheal suctioning. Arterial blood gas and respiratory mechanics were measured 5 min before endotracheal suctioning (baseline) and 25 min after suctioning. The 2 measurement periods were carried out on the same day. RESULTS: There were no significant differences in the ratio of arterial partial pressure of oxygen to fraction of inspired oxygen, PaCO2, or dynamic compliance of the respiratory system between the 2 periods (before and after endotracheal suctioning). Moreover, there were no significant differences in airway-secretion removal between the 2 periods. CONCLUSIONS: This study suggests that rib-cage compression prior to endotracheal suctioning does not improve airway-secretion removal, oxygenation, or ventilation after endotracheal suctioning in this unselected population of mechanically ventilated patients.