Comparison of the Effects of Open and Closed Endotracheal Suction on Cardiovascular and Ventilation Parameters for Patients Undergoing Mechanical Ventilation

Background and Objectives: Suction is a necessary and common method which aids in the release of secretion from the respiratory system for the patients who have undergone mechanical ventilation. One of the most common complications of suction is hypoxemia which causes dysrhythmia and death. The purpose of this study was to determine the effects of open and closed-endotracheal suction on cardiovascular and ventilation parameters for patients undergoning mechanical ventilation. Materials and Methods: This descriptive study was performed on 30 adult patients who were receiving mechanical ventilation in a medical intensive care unit in Shahid Sadoughi Hospital of Yazd, Iran in 2007. Each patient underwent both methods: open and closed-endotracheal suction, and received 100% oxygen about one minute before and after each suction. The blood pressure and arterial blood gases were captured and recorded. Results : Within the first minute after open endotracheal suction, arterial oxygen pressure was decreased by 15% and arterial carbon dioxide pressure was increased by 4%; however, after the five minutes they were back to the previous level. In the closed-endotracheal suction, arterial oxygen pressure was increased by 21% and arterial carbon dioxide pressure was decreased by 3%, during the first minute after suction, and after five minutes, they were back to the previous level. Although, there was a significant increase (by 3%) in the Mean Blood Pressure during the close- endotracheal suction method, and a 5% increase during the open-endotracheal suction method within the first minute, pulse rate did not change significantly. Conclusion: The results of this study indicate that patients receiving close-endotracheal suction method compared to open-endotracheal suction method have less hypoxemia, which results in less dysrrhythmia and mortality. Key words: Hypoxemia, Open and Closed-Endotracheal Suction, Mechanical Ventilation   Funding: This study was supported by Shahid Sadoughi University. Conflict of interest: None declared. Ethical approval: The Ethics Committee of Shahid Sadoughi University approved the study.