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Review
. 2014:2014:715434.
doi: 10.1155/2014/715434. Epub 2014 Jun 25.

Humidification during mechanical ventilation in the adult patient

Haitham S Al Ashry  1 , Ariel M Modrykamien  2
Affiliations
Review

Humidification during mechanical ventilation in the adult patient

Haitham S Al Ashry et al. Biomed Res Int. 2014.

Abstract

Humidification of inhaled gases has been standard of care in mechanical ventilation for a long period of time. More than a century ago, a variety of reports described important airway damage by applying dry gases during artificial ventilation. Consequently, respiratory care providers have been utilizing external humidifiers to compensate for the lack of natural humidification mechanisms when the upper airway is bypassed. Particularly, active and passive humidification devices have rapidly evolved. Sophisticated systems composed of reservoirs, wires, heating devices, and other elements have become part of our usual armamentarium in the intensive care unit. Therefore, basic knowledge of the mechanisms of action of each of these devices, as well as their advantages and disadvantages, becomes a necessity for the respiratory care and intensive care practitioner. In this paper, we review current methods of airway humidification during invasive mechanical ventilation of adult patients. We describe a variety of devices and describe the eventual applications according to specific clinical conditions.

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Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
Heated humidifier and condensation, adapted from Egan's Fundamentals of Respiratory Care, 10th edition, St. Louis: Mosby-Elsevier; 2012: 1424 [17].
Figure 2
Figure 2
Humidifier with heated wire in the inspiratory limb, adapted from Egan's Fundamentals of Respiratory Care, 10th edition, St. Louis: Mosby-Elsevier; 2012: 1424 [17].
Figure 3
Figure 3
Bubble and passover humidifiers, adapted from Egan's Fundamentals of Respiratory Care, 10th edition, St. Louis: Mosby-Elsevier; 2012: 1424 [17].
Figure 4
Figure 4
HME position in ventilator circuit.
Figure 5
Figure 5
HME.
Figure 6
Figure 6
HME-Performer. Adapted from Critical Care, with permission [42].
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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