Impact of Mallinckrodt Electronic Device on Continuous Control of Tracheal Cuff Pressure

Impact of Mallinckrodt Electronic Device on Continuous Control of Tracheal Cuff Pressure

Despite intermittent control of tracheal cuff pressure using a manual manometer, cuff underinflations and overinflations frequently occur in critically ill patients, resulting in increased risk for microaspiration and tracheal ischemic lesions. The aim of this study is to determine the efficiency of Mallinckrodt electronic device (Mallinckrodt electronic cuff pressure controller, VBM Medizintechnik GmbH, Sulz aN) in continuous control of tracheal cuff pressure.

Inclusion Criteria: :

• Patients intubated in the ICU with a high volume / low pressure PVC-cuffed tracheal tube
• Predicted duration of mechanical ventilation > or = 48h
• Age > or = 18 years
• signed informed consent

Exclusion Criteria:

• Contraindication for semirecumbent position
• Contraindication for enteral nutrition
• Pregnancy
• refuse to participate to the study