Ventilator autocycling due to an endotracheal tube cuff leak

Chest. 1991 Oct;100(4):1172-3. doi: 10.1378/chest.100.4.1172.

Abstract

Ventilator autocycling can occur with any ventilator if the sensitivity is improperly set or if a gas leak exists in the respiratory system which creates a negative change in proximal airway pressure. We report a case of ventilator autocycling in a paralyzed patient secondary to an endotracheal cuff leak which was misconstrued as assisted ventilation. We believe this is the first report of autocycling due to a cuff leak.

Publication types

  • Case Reports
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Intubation, Intratracheal / instrumentation*
  • Pancuronium
  • Paralysis / chemically induced
  • Pneumonia, Pneumocystis / therapy
  • Positive-Pressure Respiration
  • Ventilators, Mechanical*

Substances

  • Pancuronium