RT Journal Article
SR Electronic
T1 Comparison of a Novel Lycra Endotracheal Tube Cuff to Standard Polyvinyl Chloride Cuff and Polyurethane Cuff for Fluid Leak Prevention
JF Respiratory Care
FD American Association for Respiratory Care
SP 1095
OP 1099
DO 10.4187/respcare.01099
VO 56
IS 8
A1 Kolobow, Theodor
A1 Cressoni, Massimo
A1 Epp, Myra
A1 Corti, Ivan
A1 Cadringher, Paolo
A1 Zanella, Alberto
YR 2011
UL http://rc.rcjournal.com/content/56/8/1095.abstract
AB BACKGROUND: A high-volume low-pressure endotracheal tube (ETT) cuff forms folds along its contact with the trachea, allowing mucus leakage into the lungs. We developed a thin-walled ETT cuff made of Lycra polyurethane. METHODS: In vitro, we tested 6 of each of the new prototype Lycra cuff, the Mallinkrodt Hi-Lo ETT (polyvinyl chloride cuff), and the Kimberly-Clark Microcuff ETT (polyurethane cuff), for leakage, in an acrylic mock trachea (inner diameter 20-mm), with a cuff inflation pressure of 20 cm H2O. We poured 15 mL of methylene-blue colored water into the acrylic tube above the cuff and observed for leakage for 24 hours. RESULTS: The Lycra cuffs had no folds upon inflation in the mock trachea and completely prevented fluid leakage for 24 hours (P < .001 vs the Hi-Lo and the Microcuff). The average leakage past the Hi-Lo was 1,182 ± 1,321 mL/h. The average leakage past the Microcuff was 1.2 ± 0.4 mL/h (P < .001 vs the Hi-Lo). CONCLUSIONS: Our Lycra cuff provided complete tracheal sealing in vitro.