Mechanical insufflation-exsufflation for airway mucus clearance in patients with artificial airway

Abstract

Objective To explore the clinical effect of application of mechanical insufflation-exsufflation (MI-E)for airway mucus clearance in patients with artificial airway. Methods 72 patients were divided into the observation group (36 cases)and the control group (36 cases) according to admission order by random number table. All subjects were given with individual treatment and nursing, while the control group was given with the application of rock sputum ejection machine twice per day, the observation group was given with application of both cough assist and rock sputum ejection machine for sputum excretion. The clinical effect of airway mucus clearance after 5 days' treatment was compared between two groups. Results Compared with the control group, oxygenation index after 5 days' treatment in the observation group increased [(48.16±9.57) kPa vs. (37.99±14.67) kPa, t=-3.48, P<0.01], clinical pulmonary infection score [(3.39±0.77) scores vs. (5.33±1.47) scores] and procalcitonin level [0.10 (0.07, 0.27) μg/L vs. 0.43 (0.12, 0.79) μg/L] were lower (t=-7.02, Z=-3.28, P<0.01) , the mean sputum amount was bigger [(3.64±0.43) ml vs. (2.31 ±0.44) ml] (t=-4.84, P <0.01) , and the mean interval of suction was longer [(97.81 ±7.28) min vs. (82.00±8.88) min] (t=-3.08, P<0.05) . Conclusions MI-E can clear the airway secretion effectively so as to improve oxygenation and the inflammatory markers. And MI-E is a simple, noninvasive and safe technique. Key words: Tracheostomy; Intubation, intratracheal; Mechanical insufflation-exsufflation; Airway clearance