OBJECTIVEMechanical ventilation is frequently necessary, in which case the use of an
endotracheal tube is mandatory. The tube has an inflatable balloon in its
distal extremity, whose aim is, among other functions, an efficient
arterialization. However, serious injuries in the place of contact of the
balloon with the trachea can be frequent. Some studies point out that
balloons with permanent pressure may reduce this complication. Nevertheless,
air scape, expressed by the inspiratory (IV) and expiratory volume (EV)
variation (Δ IV-EV), may occur, possibly leading to hypoxemia. Thus,
the goal of this study was to verify the efficiency of a modified
endotracheal tube on arterializations compared to the traditional
endotracheal tube.METHODSThe modified endotracheal tube presents intermittent insufflation, with three
drillings in the internal region of the cuff, allowing for insufflation in
the inspiratory phase of the mechanical ventilation. Three animals were used
for the control group, with a cuff pressure of 30 cmH2O, and
seven pigs had the modified endotracheal tube. Each animal was kept under
mechanical ventilation (FIO2=0.21) for 6 hours. Arterial and
venous gases were measured every three hours (T0; T3;
T6).RESULTSThe gases confirmed the lack of hypoxia between the Groups, with a difference
in the ΔIV-EV at T0 (P=0.0486).CONCLUSIONSIn this study, the lack of hypoxia showed the efficiency of the modified
endotracheal tube. However, new studies are necessary, particularly in
diseased lungs, in order to evaluate the real efficiency of the mentioned
device on the pulmonary gas exchange.