Title:Detection of Secretion Retention in the Ventilated Patient
Volume: 10
Issue: 3
Author(s): Jennifer Paratz and George Ntoumenopoulos
Affiliation:
Keywords:
Atelectasis, intubation, endotracheal, mechanical ventilation, mucus inspissation of respiratory tract.
Abstract: Intubation, mechanical ventilation and subsequent immobilization, sedation and drying of airways predisposes
to retained secretions. This can lead to a number of complications including endotracheal tube occlusion, ventilator
associated infection, hemodynamic compromise and life threatening hypoxemia.
Identification of retained secretions can be difficult with a poor specificity for many components of the examination.
Ideally, it is important to have a high confidence in the methods of detecting airways secretions in order to be able to
effectively manage them in order to prevent an emergent situation developing. The various components of examination
including auscultation, oxygenation status, radiology, pulmonary mechanics and waveform analysis are discussed together
with validity and repeatability information. Two of the most promising areas for accurate bedside localization of
secretions are auscultation and waveform analysis.
