Abstract
Accumulation of secretions may suddenly occlude the endotracheal tube (ETT) requiring immediate medical attention. The endOclear® catheter (EndOclear LLC, Petoskey, MI) is a novel device designed to clean the ETT from mucus debris and restore the luminal patency.
We present a series of three subsequent cases of life-threatening partial ETT-occlusion recorded over a period of six months at Massachusetts General Hospital. After the failure of conventional methods,standard tracheal suctioning and bronchoscopy, the endOclear® device was implemented with successful restoration of the airways in all three cases. The three patients rapidly improved their respiratory conditions and tolerate well the ETT-clearing manoeuvre.
These observations showed that such device is (I) safe, (II) easy to use during an emergent-airway situation, and (III) efficient to rapidly remove secretions in the setting of ETT obstruction by the respiratory therapist personnel.
- Respiration, Artificial
- Positive-Pressure Ventilation
- Respiratory Failure
- Airway Obstruction
- Airway Resistance
- Pneumonia, Ventilator-Associated
- Biofilms
Footnotes
- Corresponding author: Lorenzo Berra, MD, lberra{at}partners.org, White 434-B, 55 Fruit Street, Boston MA 02114, USA, Department of Anesthesia, Critical Care and Pain Medicine, Massachusetts General Hospital
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Sources of financial support: Department of Anesthesia, Critical Care and Pain Medicine, and Department of Respiratory Care, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston MA, USA
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Conflict-of-interest statement: None of the authors has conflict of interest to disclaim. EndOclear LLC provided equipment to MGH for 6-months period for the clinical trial,free of cost – From April 2013 to September 2013.
- Copyright © 2013 by Daedalus Enterprises Inc.