%0 Journal Article %A Mario Solomita %A Lucy B Palmer %A Feroza Daroowalla %A Jeffrey Liu %A Dori Miller %A Deniese S LeBlanc %A Gerald C Smaldone %T Humidification and Secretion Volume in Mechanically Ventilated Patients %D 2009 %J Respiratory Care %P 1329-1335 %V 54 %N 10 %X 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. %U https://rc.rcjournal.com/content/respcare/54/10/1329.full.pdf