Elevated endotracheal tube cuff pressure in the pediatric emergency department

The cuff of an endotracheal tube (ETT) should seal the airway, improving ventilation and preventing aspiration of fluid into the lungs [1]. Mucosal blood flow in the trachea is impaired when the ETT cuff pressure exceeds 30 cmH2O for as little 15  min and prolonged exposure to a high cuff pressure can cause tracheal injury [2,3]. Sealing the trachea at a safe pressure (15-25 cmH2O) is possible with the current generation of pliable, high-volume cuffed ETTs [4].
Source: International Journal of Pediatric Otorhinolaryngology - Category: ENT & OMF Authors: Source Type: research