Humidification during Mechanical Ventilation in the Adult Patient

Table 2

Contraindications for heat and moisture exchangers according to AARC Clinical Practice Guidelines 2012 [11].

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(i) Patients with thick or copious secretions.

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(ii) When there is loss in expired tidal volume (e.g., large bronchopleurocutaneous fistulas or presence of endotracheal tube cuff leak).

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(iii) In patients managed with low tidal volumes like those with ARDS.

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(iv) In difficult to wean patients and those with limited respiratory reserve.

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(v) Hypothermic patients with body temperature of <32°C.

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(vi) In patients with high minute ventilations volumes (>10 L/min).

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