Sterile Water Is Unnecessary in a Continuous Positive Airway Pressure Convection-Type Humidifier in the Treatment of Obstructive Sleep Apnea Syndrome
| Autor: | Dominic Dellweg, Dieter Köhler, M. Wenzel, M. Klauke, Frank Gessenhardt, Peter Haidl, Bernd Schönhofer |
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| Rok vydání: | 2005 |
| Předmět: |
Aerosols
Pulmonary and Respiratory Medicine Mechanical ventilation Artificial ventilation medicine.medical_specialty Continuous Positive Airway Pressure Respiratory tract infections Aerosolize business.industry medicine.medical_treatment Positive pressure Sterilization Water Humidifiers Critical Care and Intensive Care Medicine Surgery Sleep Apnea Syndromes Tap water Anesthesia medicine Humans Continuous positive airway pressure Cardiology and Cardiovascular Medicine business |
| Zdroj: | Chest. 128:2138-2140 |
| ISSN: | 0012-3692 |
| DOI: | 10.1378/chest.128.4.2138 |
| Popis: | Objective We investigated the necessity of using sterile water in humidifiers for avoiding respiratory tract infections during nasal continuous positive airway pressure (nCPAP) therapy. Methods Water in a convection-type humidifier (Sirius; Heinen and Lowenstein GmbH; Bad Ems, Germany) was labeled with 99m Tc-diethylenetriamine penta-acetic acid. Low-flow (2 L/min, 4 L/min, or 6 L/min) and high-flow (31 to 46 L/min) rates were applied, rates typical for nCPAP. Heat and moisture exchange filters were placed behind the start of the tube to measure any radioactive aerosol. Results We demonstrated that no radioactive aerosols were produced, either with low or high flows. Conclusions The convection-type humidifier produces water vapor but does not aerosolize the water. We conclude that bacteria, other microorganisms, or even solutes that may be contained in the water cannot be transported into the air and thus will not be deposited in the lung. In order to avoid respiratory tract infections, sterile water is not required, at least in this particular humidifier. We suggest that nonsterile tap water is probably a safe alternative. |
| Databáze: | OpenAIRE |
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