Non-Pharmacological Prevention of Ventilator Associated Pneumonia

Improvement in Lung Insufflation in Spontaneously Breathing Tracheostomized Patients by Using a New Pulmonary Expansion Device: A Pilot Study

Lung expansion techniques (LETs) are a key component of pulmonary rehabilitation. Nevertheless, these can be limited in tracheostomized patients because of the infraglottic position of tracheostomy cannulas. We propose a novel pulmonary expansion device (PED) that allows deep inspiration with a postinspiratory pause for a few seconds by means of a unidirectional valve and an occlusion/flow release cap. It is equipped with a relief valve that opens at 60 cm H2O in cases in which this threshold is attained. We aimed to evaluate the impact on lung volume and pressure in spontaneously breathing tracheostomized patients subjected to LETs. A single-arm pilot interventional study was conducted in an adult intensive care unit (ICU), including spontaneously breathing tracheostomized patients. 80 treatments were performed on 10 patients with tracheostomies with PED over a period of 3 months. The maximal inspiratory volume (MIV) was significantly increased by using PED (MIV-PED) at both day 1 (725 (600–820) mL versus 1550 (1250–1700) mL, P < 0.001) and day 3 (870 (750–950) mL versus 1662 (1550–1900) mL, P < 0.001). Inspiratory pause pressure (PIP-PED) did not significantly change from day 1 to day 3 (18 (14–20) cm H2O versus 14 (12–22) cm H2O, P = 0.36). The use of the PED in tracheostomy patients acted as an artificial glottis by performing a novel pulmonary re-expansion maneuver, and increased volumes and intrapulmonary pressure with prolongation of maximum inspiration were achieved.

The influence of the endotracheal tube cuff on the occurrence of ventilator-associated pneumonia

Introduction: An endotracheal tube enables patient ventilation, but also presents a risk of complications. The accumulation of subglottic secretions above the cuff may cause ventilatorassociated pneumonia. The purpose of the article is to establish the effect of the endotracheal tube cuff (shape and material, method of inflation, verifying and maintaining pressure) on the incidence of ventilator-associated pneumonia. Methods: A descriptive method with a systematic review of domestic and foreign literature was used. The literature was retrieved from electronic databases and the cooperative bibliographic/catalogue database. According to eligibility criteria, sixteen original scientific articles published in the last ten years were finally used. Data were processed with qualitative content analysis. Results: Cuff inflation control with a manometer and continuous measuring and adjustment of cuff pressure with modern equipment were found to be the safest methods. According to the articles on shape and material, conical polyurethane cuffs provide the best sealing. Discussion and conclusion: Ventilator-associated pneumonia is a serious complication in mechanically ventilated patients. Maintaining appropriate cuff pressure proved to be a very effective preventive measure. The research presented here is limited by the small number of available articles. Further research is needed before practical applications are attempted.