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Inadequate humidification of inspired gases can cause a variety of serious problems, and humidification has accordingly become an important aspect of modern intensive care medicine. This book is designed to serve as a practical guide for clinicians, providing information on the theoretical background of humidification, the equipment, and its optimal use. The book starts by examining the physiological basis of humidification. Current devices are then discussed, with careful attention to factors influencing their performance and methods to evaluate their effectiveness. The two scenarios of mechanical and non-mechanical ventilation are considered, and the issue of ventilator-associated pneumonia is addressed in detail. Further chapters focus on such topics as humidification following tracheostomy, humidification of the artificial airway during secretion management, measurement of inspired gas temperature in the ventilated neonate, and humidification in the home care setting.

Humidification in the Intensive Care Unit: The Essentials

Physiology. Humidification during high-flow oxygen therapy. Small volume nebulization. HME. Heated humidifier. Active versus passive humidification. Factors that influence the performance of humidification devices. Methods to evaluate the performance of humidification devices. Humidification during invasive mechanical ventilation. Practice of humidification. Humidification during non-invasive mechanical ventilation. Effects of oxygen inspiration in non-invasive mechanical ventilation. Invasive mechanical ventilation and/or VAP associated with humidification. Humidification devices and ventilator-associated pneumonia. Types of humidifier and the prevention of ventilator-associated pneumonia. A portable trachea spray for lower airway humidification in patients after tracheostomy. Problems with humidification. Artificial airway secretion management. Measurement of inspired gas temperature in the ventilated neonate. Indications and contraindications in home care. Pros and cons of humidification for CPAP therapy in the treatment of sleep apnea.