BACKGROUND Relationships between plasma morphine concentrations and neonatal responses to endotracheal tube (ETT) suctioning are unknown in preterm neonates. METHODS Ventilated preterm neonates (n=898) from 16 centres were randomly assigned to placebo (n=449) or morphine (n=449). After an i.v. loading dose (100 microg kg(-1)), morphine infusions [23-26 weeks postmenstrual age (PMA) 10 microg ...

BACKGROUND Standard indications for endotracheal suctioning are often based on clinical judgment on the deterioration of the patient's condition, and/or routine suctioning. TBA Care is a secretion detector that analyses airway sounds and indicates the need for suctioning. OBJECTIVE To determine the efficacy of TBA Care in detecting retained secretions, compared to standard indications. METH...

OBJECTIVES To measure airway pressures during closed system suctioning with the ventilator set to three differing modes of ventilation. METHODS Closed system suctioning was conducted in 16 patients following cardiac surgery. Suctioning was performed using a 14 French catheter with a vacuum level of -500 cmH2O through an 8.0 mm internal diameter endotracheal tube. The lungs were mechanically v...

The purpose of this study was to determine the frequency and severity of arterial oxygen desaturation during and after endotracheal suctioning in a group of ventilator-dependent patients with acute respiratory failure (the majority of whom had underlying obstructive lung disease) and to evaluate the efficacy of several maneuvers designed to minimize desaturation. The adaptor method presented ob...

OBJECTIVE This study is to test the effectiveness of fiber-optic-guided endotracheal suction catheter (visual sputum suctioning system or VSSS) in dog models. METHODS Dog sputum models were established by administering dimethoate emulsifiable. Twenty-seven intubated dogs were equally randomized into three groups of conventional suctioning (CS) group, VSSS with no supplemental oxygen (VSSS) gr...

BACKGROUND Expiratory rib-cage compression, a chest physiotherapy technique, is well known as the "squeezing" technique in Japan. OBJECTIVE To determine the effects of rib-cage compression on airway-secretion removal, oxygenation, and ventilation in patients receiving mechanical ventilation. SETTING An intensive care unit of an emergency and critical care center at a tertiary-care teaching ...