A randomized clinical trial to compare the effects of a heat and moisture exchanger with a heated humidifying system on the occurrence rate of ventilator-associated pneumonia

Longer duration of mechanical ventilation was found to be associated with ventilator-associated pneumonia in children aged 1 month to 12 years in India

“…A number of studies have been conducted to assess the cost-effectiveness of various protocols for treating VAP [16,28e30], but only few are randomized controlled trials [31]. We recommend conducting randomized controlled trials to look for measures to minimize VAP and to assess their cost-effectiveness.…”

Ventilator-Associated Pneumonia: Diagnosis, Treatment, and Prevention

“…As heated humidifiers enhance the amount of condensate, attention has been focused on HMEs. These devices have led to a reduction in VAP, albeit small, and should be used in patients without significant secretions or concern over the risk of obstruction (17,55,99,107,132,141,174). While changing the HME less frequently than every 48 h may lead to further reductions in VAP, care must be taken to carefully monitor for trapped secretions and subsequent airway obstruction or increments in the work of breathing (45,193).…”

Ventilator-associated pneumonia

“…46 However, some HMEs may be associated with difficulty in weaning 47 and several groups have indicated no differences in the incidence of VAP when HMEs are compared with heated humidifiers. 48,49 Further study is clearly needed to define the place of the HME in the prevention of VAP.…”