PT  - JOURNAL ARTICLE
AU  - Mario Solomita
AU  - Lucy B Palmer
AU  - Feroza Daroowalla
AU  - Jeffrey Liu
AU  - Dori Miller
AU  - Deniese S LeBlanc
AU  - Gerald C Smaldone
TI  - Humidification and Secretion Volume in Mechanically Ventilated Patients
DP  - 2009 Oct 01
TA  - Respiratory Care
PG  - 1329--1335
VI  - 54
IP  - 10
4099  - http://rc.rcjournal.com/content/54/10/1329.short
4100  - http://rc.rcjournal.com/content/54/10/1329.full
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To determine potential effects of humidification on the volume of airway secretions in mechanically ventilated patients. METHODS: Water vapor delivery from devices providing non-heated-wire humidification, heated-wire humidification, and heat and moisture exchanger (HME) were quantified on the bench. Then, patients requiring 24-hour mechanical ventilation were exposed sequentially to each of these humidification devices, and secretions were removed and measured by suctioning every hour during the last 4 hours of the 24-hour study period. RESULTS: In vitro water vapor delivery was greater using non-heated-wire humidification, compared to heated-wire humidification and HME. In vivo, a total of 9 patients were studied. Secretion volume following humidification by non-heated-wire humidification was significantly greater than for heated-wire humidification and HME (P = .004). CONCLUSIONS: The volume of secretions appeared to be linked to humidification, as greater water vapor delivery measured in vitro was associated with greater secretion volume in vivo.