Volume not guaranteed: Closed endotracheal suction compromises ventilation in volume-targeted mode

Abstract

Background: Closed endotracheal suction interferes with mechanical ventilation received by infants, but the change to ventilation may be different when ventilator modes that target expired tidal volume (VTe) are used. Objective: To measure airway pressure and tidal volume distal to the endotracheal tube (ETT) during and after closed suction in a volume-targeted ventilation mode with the Dräger Babylog 8000+, and to determine the time until VTe returns to the baseline level. Methods: In this benchtop study, closed suction was performed on 2.5- to 4.0-mm ETTs connected to a test lung. 5-8 French suction catheters were used at suction pressures of 80-200 mm Hg during tidal-volume-targeted venti..