The Feasibility Of A Novel Visual Sputum Suction System In Mechanically Ventilated Patients With Artificial Airways

Objective:Conventional sputum suctioning is a routine clinical practice, but complications may arise from the blind manipulation of the catheter. Recently, a Visual Sputum Suctioning System (VSSS) was developed, and this study is to test the effectiveness and safety of the new system in mechanical ventilated patients.Methods:This study was performed in respiratory intensive care unit at the first affiliated hospital of Chongqing Medical university between February 2014 and June 2014.20 mechanically ventilated patients were randomized into Visual Suction (VS) group or Closed Suction (CS) group. VSSS integrated a fiber-optic-guided endotracheal suction double-lumen catheter. The characteristic of the subjects, vital signs and suctioning adverse effects were assessed.Results:There were no significant difference in SpO2. HR, MAP of CS in time (P=0.14; P=0.33; P=0.08, respectively). Mean SpO2. HR, MAP changed after VS, and 3 min after suction the cardiorespiratory parameters returned to the baseline(P=0.13; P=0.55; P=0.78, respectively). Moreover, the SpO2 in the VS group were higher than the CS group at 5 min after suctioning(P＜0.01); Compared with the conventional suction method, the VS can reduce the frequency of daily suction (P＜0.01); Under real-time guidance, VS caused less tracheal mucosa damage.Conclusion:Sputum suctioning in patients with the VSSS was feasible. Because of its real-time imaging guidance, the efficiency of the VS procedure was greater and the trauma to the trachea was slighter than that of the conventional CS. Therefore, this system may provide a new platform for sputum suctioning.