help button home button
AJRCCM
HOME HELP FEEDBACK SUBSCRIPTIONS ARCHIVE SEARCH TABLE OF CONTENTS

This Article
Right arrow Abstract Freely available
Right arrow Full Text (PDF)
Right arrow Alert me when this article is cited
Right arrow Alert me if a correction is posted
Services
Right arrow Similar articles in this journal
Right arrow Similar articles in PubMed
Right arrow Alert me to new issues of the journal
Right arrow Download to citation manager
Right arrow reprints & permissions
Citing Articles
Right arrow Citing Articles via HighWire
Right arrow Citing Articles via Google Scholar
Google Scholar
Right arrow Articles by LU, Q.
Right arrow Articles by ROUBY, J.-J.
Right arrow Search for Related Content
PubMed
Right arrow PubMed Citation
Right arrow Articles by LU, Q.
Right arrow Articles by ROUBY, J.-J.
Am. J. Respir. Crit. Care Med., Volume 162, Number 5, November 2000, 1898-1904

A Computed Tomographic Scan Assessment of Endotracheal Suctioning-Induced Bronchoconstriction in Ventilated Sheep

QIN LU, ANDRE CAPDEROU, PHILIPPE CLUZEL, ERIC MOURGEON, LAMINE ABDENNOUR, JEAN-DOMINIQUE LAW-KOUNE, CHRISTIAN STRAUS, PHILIPPE GRENIER, MARC ZELTER, and JEAN-JACQUES ROUBY

Surgical Intensive Care Unit Pierre Viars and Departments of Anesthesiology, Physiology, and Radiology, La Pitié-Salpêtrière Hospital, University of Paris, Paris, France


    ABSTRACT
TOP
ABSTRACT
INTRODUCTION
METHODS
RESULTS
DISCUSSION
REFERENCES

This study was directed at assessing changes in bronchial cross-sectional surface areas (BCSA) and in respiratory resistance induced by endotracheal suctioning in nine anesthetized sheep. Cardiorespiratory parameters (Swan-Ganz catheter), respiratory resistance (inspiratory occlusion technique), BCSA, and lung aeration (computed tomography) were studied at baseline, during endotracheal suctioning, and after 20 consecutive hyperinflations. Measurements performed initially at an inspired oxygen fraction (FIO2) of 0.3 were repeated at an FIO2 of 1.0. At an FIO2 of 0.3, endotracheal suctioning resulted in atelectasis, a reduction in BCSA of 29 ± 23% (mean ± SD), a decrease in arterial oxygen saturation from 95 ± 3% to 87 ± 12% (p = 0.02), an increase in venous admixture from 19 ± 10% to 31 ± 19% (p = 0.006), and an increase in lung tissue resistance (DRrs) (p = 0.0003). At an FIO2 of 1.0, despite an extension of atelectasis and an increase in pulmonary shunt from 19 ± 5% to 36 ± 2% (p < 0.0001), arterial O2 desaturation was prevented and BCSA decreased by only 7 ± 32%. A recruitment maneuver after endotracheal suctioning entirely reversed the suctioning-induced increase in DRrs and atelectasis. In three lidocaine-pretreated sheep, the endotracheal suctioning-induced reduction of BCSA was entirely prevented. These data suggest that the endotracheal suctioning-induced decrease in BCSA is related to atelectasis and bronchoconstriction. Both effects can be reversed by hyperoxygenation maneuver before suctioning in combination with recruitment maneuver after suctioning.

    INTRODUCTION
TOP
ABSTRACT
INTRODUCTION
METHODS
RESULTS
DISCUSSION
REFERENCES

Endotracheal suctioning in intubated patients is directed at clearing bronchial secretions, which tend to accumulate because tracheal intubation markedly impairs mucociliary transport. The classical procedure for endotracheal suctioning consists of disconnection from mechanical ventilation, followed by insertion of a suction catheter into the trachea for tracheal suctioning under negative pressure. Each step of this maneuver is potentially harmful, and complications reported with it include arterial hypoxemia and atelectasis (1), bronchospasm (2), tracheal mucosal damage (3), cardiac arrhythmias (4), intracranial hypertension (5), and sudden death (6). Most previous studies of endotracheal suctioning have focused on the prevention and treatment of suctioning-induced impairment of arterial oxygenation. Some preventive maneuvers for this have been proposed, such as preoxygenation with an inspired oxygen fraction (FIO2) of 1 (7), hyperinflation before or after suctioning (8, 9), use of a special suction adaptor to avoid disconnection of the patient from the ventilator (10, 11), and insufflation of a constant flow of oxygen during endotracheal suctioning (1).

Recently, it has been shown that endotracheal suctioning may induce a transient bronchoconstrictive response in critically ill patients receiving mechanical ventilation (12). Experimental data suggest that the stimulation of airway irritant receptors produces reflex bronchoconstriction (13), and that this can be prevented with local anesthetic agents that act on sodium channels (14, 15). In ventilated animals or patients, changes in bronchomotor tone can be evaluated by means of the end-inflation airway occlusion technique (16, 17). Unfortunately, this technique provides limited information about the partition between bronchial and parenchymal responses, and no data on the distribution of the regional response. Recent developments in high-resolution computed tomography (HRCT) allow detection and measurement of the cross-sectional surface area of bronchi down to 1 mm in diameter. These developments have been used to assess bronchoconstriction in animal models and in asthmatic subjects (18) at a regional level, and appear to be complementary to the measurement of airway resistance.

The aims of this study, which combined these two approaches, were: (1) to assess the global and regional effects of endotracheal suctioning on bronchoreactivity and lung aeration; (2) to assess whether the endotracheal suctioning- induced increase in bronchoreactivity could be prevented by hyperoxygenation or inhalation of lidocaine; and (3) to assess whether the atelectasis resulting from endotracheal suctioning could be reversed by a postsuction recruitment maneuver. The sheep was used as an experimental model.

    METHODS
TOP
ABSTRACT
INTRODUCTION
METHODS
RESULTS
DISCUSSION
REFERENCES

Animal Preparation

Nine anesthetized and ventilated sheep (weight: 48 ± 3 kg [mean ± SD]) were studied while in the supine position. Anesthesia was induced and maintained with flunitrazepam (4 mg/h), fentanyl (200 µg/h), and vecuronium (4 mg/h). The sheep were intubated with an endotracheal tube incorporating a one-sided port that ended at the distal tip of the tube (Hi-Lo Jet No. 8; Mallinckrodt Inc., Argyle, NY). The animals were ventilated (César Ventilator; Taema, Antony, France) in a volume-controlled mode with constant inspiratory flow (tidal volume [VT] = 10 ml/kg, respiratory rate = 12 breaths/min, respiratory duty cycle (TI/Ttot = 33%, and positive end-expiratory pressure [PEEP] = 5 cm H2O). A fiberoptic thermodilution catheter (Explorer SVO2/CO [venous oxygen saturation/cardiac output], ComputerTM; Baxter SA, Maurepas, France) was positioned in the pulmonary artery after denudation of the jugular vein. An arterial carotid catheter was placed after denudation of the artery.

Measurements

Systemic and pulmonary arterial pressures were monitored with calibrated pressure transducers (PX-1X2; Baxter) positioned at the level of the radiology table on which pressure monitoring was done. The intravascular pressures measured in the right atrium and pulmonary artery were corrected according to the anteroposterior distance between these structures and the table. Airway pressure was measured with a pressure transducer (P23id; Gould, Maurepas, France) connected to the distal port of the endotracheal tube. A No. 2 Fleisch pneumotachograph (Fleisch, Lausanne, Switzerland) linked to a differential pressure transducer (Schlumberger, Velizy, France) was placed at the proximal end of the endotracheal tube to measure flow (V) and VT by integration (Integrator 13-4615-70; Gould, Cleveland, OH). During each of the experimental phases used in the study (see the subsequent discussion), arterial and pulmonary arterial blood specimens were sampled for analysis of arterial oxygen tension (PaO2), arterial carbon dioxide tension (PaCO2), venous oxygen tension (PvO2), and pH (IL BGE; Instrumentation Laboratory, Milan, Italy); hemoglobin concentration; and arterial (SaO2) and mixed venous (SvO2) oxygen saturations (OSM3 hemoximeter, calibrated for sheep blood; Radiometer, Copenhagen, Denmark). Cardiac output was measured in triplicate by thermodilution, using a 5-ml injection of an ice-cold 5% solution of dextrose in water.

The end-inflation airway occlusion technique was used to assess respiratory mechanics (16): airway pressure, V, and VT were recorded after airflow was interrupted at end-inspiration by clamping of the endotracheal tube just proximal to the pneumotachograph. Occlusion was relaxed after a plateau in airway pressure was achieved, representing the end-inspiratory elastic recoil pressure of the respiratory system (Pel,rs). Each measurement of respiratory mechanics was made in triplicate and recorded with an ES 1000 Gould recorder (Gould Instruments, Longjumeau, France), with measurements made during the occlusion maneuver being stored in an IBM-compatible personal computer by a 12-bit analog-to-digital board at a sample frequency of 200 Hz for subsequent data analysis. After the end-inspiratory occlusion, the decrease in airway pressure was analyzed with specifically designed software. The first decrease in pressure during a maximum of 0.1 s after the peak was considered as linear, and was fitted by linear regression. The pressure drop after 0.2 s was considered as exponential (for a period of at least 1 s) and was fitted accordingly. The initial pressure drop, P1, was considered as the pressure corresponding to the intersection of the first and second pressure-decrease curves.

Calculations

Pulmonary (Rpv) and systemic (Rsv) vascular resistance, venous admixture (QVA/QT), true pulmonary shunt (QS/QT), oxygen delivery (DO2), and oxygen consumption (VO2) were calculated according to standard formulas. The static compliance of the total respiratory system (Crs) was calculated as: Crs = VT/Delta Pel,rs, where Delta Pel,rs is the difference between the elastic recoil pressure of the respiratory system (Pel,rs) and PEEP corrected for the intrinsic PEEP measured at the end of a prolonged expiratory pause (17, 22). Total respiratory resistance (Rmax,rs) was calculated as Rmax,rs = (PImax - Pel,rs)/F, where PImax is the peak inspiratory pressure. Bronchial resistance (Rmin,rs) was calculated as Rmin,rs = (PImax - P1)/V. Lung tissue resistance (DRrs) was calculated as DRrs = (P1 - Pel,rs)/V.

Thoracic Computerized Tomographic Scan

With the animal placed in the supine position in a computed tomography (CT) scanner (CE 10000; CGR-General Electric, Brie, France), lung scanning was done of a series of three contiguous 1.5-mm-thick sections taken at end-inspiration at the level of the lower lobes. The appropriate level of the sections was chosen by means of a thoracic scout view, and was just below the heart in order to reduce cardiac artifacts. No contrast medium was used, and images were photographed at a window width of 1,600 HU and a level of -700 HU. For each acquisition for each part of the protocol, images from the same anatomic level were selected by using anatomic landmarks such as vascular and bronchial branching points. The selected CT images were transmitted to a workstation equipped with software dedicated to the assessment of bronchial cross-sectional area (BCSA) and lung attenuation. The segmentation of bronchial cross-sections on CT images was obtained through a method based on mathematical morphology theory, combining morphology filtering, connection cost marking, and conditional watershed techniques. This segmentation procedure was integrated with a software package (Airway) that had previously been validated with simulated bronchi generated by mathematical modeling (23). The accuracy of measurement of surface BCSA was 95%, 91%, and 77% for bronchi having a diameter greater than 2 mm and equal to 2 mm and 1 mm, respectively. Analysis included evaluation of changes in surface BCSA and assessment of parenchymal lung attenuation. We compared the surface BCSA of the same bronchi identified on the three CT sections for each of the three phases of each condition used in the study. Lung parenchymal attenuation and pulmonary atelectasis were assessed by an independent radiologist who was unaware of the study condition under which CT scanning had been conducted.

Protocol

Animals were studied under one or more of the following three conditions:

Condition 1: FIO2 = 0.3. This condition was directed at evaluating the cardiorespiratory effects of endotracheal suctioning.

Condition 2: pretreatment with pure oxygen (FIO2 = 1). This condition was directed at assessing whether preadministration of pure oxygen could prevent the changes measured in Condition 1, as had already been suggested in humans (7).

Condition 3: pre-treatment with lidocaine (FIO2 = 0.3). This condition was intended to determine whether pretreatment with an aerosol of lidocaine could reverse the endotracheal suctioning-induced bronchoconstriction evidenced under Condition 1. We administered 200 mg of aerosolized 5% lidocaine over a 15-min period, using the jet nebulizer of the César ventilator. The inspiratory flow coming from the ventilator was corrected for the additional flow coming from the nebulizer. Control measurements were made immediately after the end of lidocaine administration.

Nine animals were studied under Condition 1, five under Conditions 1 and 2, and three under Conditions 1, 2, and 3, at 1-h intervals between each condition. Each animal served as its own control.

Each condition was divided into three successive phases, as follows:

Control. Measurements in this phase made after a 1-h steady state of mechanical ventilation with control ventilatory settings.

Endotracheal suctioning. In this phase the sheep was disconnected from the ventilator. A suction catheter (Argyle; Sherwood Medical, Tullamore, Ireland) was inserted into the airways until resistance was met, and was then pulled back 3 cm. Endotracheal suctioning was begun at a negative suctioning pressure of -100 cm H2O for 60 s. Measurements were made at the end of the 60-s period, during resumption of mechanical ventilation at control ventilatory settings.

Postsuction recruitment maneuver. A recruitment maneuver in which animals took 20 VT breaths each of 20 ml/kg volume, was applied immediately after endotracheal suctioning, and measurements were made at the end of this recruitment maneuver.

Statistical Analysis

Results are expressed as mean ± SD in the text and tables, and as mean ± SEM in figures. Surface BCSA, hemodynamic, lung mechanical, and blood gas data were compared among the three phases of each study condition through one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) for repeated measures. Surface BCSA, hemodynamic, lung mechanical, and blood gas data under Condition 1 (FIO2 = 0.3) and under Condition 2 (FIO2 = 1) were compared through two-way ANOVA for the single grouping factor of FIO2, and for the single within-group factor of endotracheal suctioning. Changes in surface BCSA after nebulization of lidocaine were analyzed in 25 bronchi through two-way ANOVA for the two within-group factors of lidocaine and endotracheal suctioning. Relationships between surface BCSA and airway resistance were evaluated through linear regression analysis. A value of p < 0.05 was considered statistically significant.

    RESULTS
TOP
ABSTRACT
INTRODUCTION
METHODS
RESULTS
DISCUSSION
REFERENCES

Effects of Endotracheal Suctioning on Hemodynamics and Gas Exchange

FIO2-0.3. Endotracheal suctioning induced a significant decrease in PaO2 and a significant increase in QVA/QT (Figure 1 and Table 1). The decrease in PaO2 was accompanied by a significant increase in mean pulmonary artery pressure and in Rpv, and by a significant decrease in SaO2 and SvO2. The postsuction recruitment maneuver (PImax = 35 ± 4 [mean ± SD] cm H2O) reversed these effects and induced a significant decrease in PaCO2. All other values remained unchanged.


View larger version (22K):
[in this window]
[in a new window]
 
Figure 1.   PaO2 (bars) and Q VA/Q T (closed circles) measured at an FIO2 of 0.3 (upper panel ), and PaO2 (bars) and Q S/Q T (closed circles) measured at an FIO2 of 1.0 (lower panel ) under control conditions (C), immediately after endotracheal suctioning (ETS), and after the recruitment maneuver (RM). The endotracheal suctioning induced a decrease in PaO2 associated with an increase in Q VA/Q T at an FIO2 of 0.3 and in Q S/ Q T at an FIO2 of 1.0. These effects were reversed by the recruitment maneuver after suctioning. With two-way ANOVA, endotracheal suctioning was found to induce significant decreases in Q VA/Q T and Q S/Q T that were no different for an FIO2 of 0.3 and an FIO2 of 1.0 (absence of interaction).

                              
View this table:
[in this window]
[in a new window]
 

TABLE 1

HEMODYNAMIC AND RESPIRATORY CHANGES INDUCED BY ENDOTRACHEAL SUCTIONING IN NINE SHEEP*

Pretreatment with pure oxygen. Endotracheal suctioning induced a significant decrease in PaO2 associated with a significant increase in QS/QT (Figure 1 and Table 2). Arterial desaturation was not observed after endotracheal suctioning. The postsuction recruitment maneuver reversed these deleterious effects.

                              
View this table:
[in this window]
[in a new window]
 

TABLE 2

HEMODYNAMIC AND RESPIRATORY CHANGES INDUCED BY ENDOTRACHEAL SUCTIONING IN FIVE SHEEP

Pretreatment with lidocaine (FIO2-0.3). Aerosolization of lidocaine did not modify the hemodynamic or respiratory responses to endotracheal suctioning.

Effects of Endotracheal Suctioning on Respiratory Mechanics

FIO2-0.3. Endotracheal suctioning induced a significant increase in DRrs (76 ± 45%), Rmax,rs (33 ± 12%) and Rmin,rs (18 ± 40%) (Figure 2, and Table 3). Rmax,rs returned to its baseline value after the postsuction recruitment maneuver. Endotracheal suctioning induced a 27 ± 19% decrease in Crs, associated with a significant increase in PImax and Pel,rs, which returned to control values after the postsuction recruitment maneuver.


View larger version (12K):
[in this window]
[in a new window]
 
Figure 2.   Percentage of change in respiratory resistance (Delta Rrs) at an FIO2 of 0.3 (upper panel ) and an FIO2 of 1.0 (lower panel ) under control conditions (C), immediately after endotracheal suctioning (ETS), and after the recruitment maneuver following suctioning (RM). At both levels of FIO2, endotracheal suctioning induced an increase in Rmax,rs (squares), DRrs (circles), and Rmin,rs (triangles). Using with two-way ANOVA, endotracheal suctioning was found to induce increases in Rmax,rs, Rmin,rs, and DRrs that were no different for an FIO2 of 0.3 and an FIO2 of 1.0 (absence of interaction).

                              
View this table:
[in this window]
[in a new window]
 

TABLE 3

CHANGES IN RESPIRATORY MECHANICS AND SURFACE OF BRONCHIAL CROSS-SECTIONAL AREA AFTER ENDOTRACHEAL SUCTIONING IN SEVEN SHEEP

Pretreatment with pure oxygen. Endotracheal suctioning significantly increased DRrs (96 ± 77%) and Rmax,rs (72 ± 63%) (Figure 2). The increase in Rmin,rs was not significant. Endotracheal suctioning-induced changes in Rmax,rs and DRrs were not different from those observed at FIO2 = 0.3.

Pretreatment with lidocaine. Aerosolization of lidocaine prevented the increase in Rmax,rs, and DRrs after endotracheal suctioning (Figure 3).


View larger version (18K):
[in this window]
[in a new window]
 
Figure 3.   Individual percentage of variation in Delta Rmax,rs, Delta Rmin,rs, and Delta DRrs before (left panels) and after (right panels) pretreament of three sheep with a lidocaine aerosol. Lidocaine reduced the endotracheal suctioning-induced increase in Rmax,rs and DRrs.

Effects on Surface BCSA

FIO2-0.3. Sixty-four bronchi from seven different sheep, with surface BCSA ranging from 1 mm2 to 145 mm2, were found suitable for analysis (Figure 4 and Table 3). As shown in Table 3, a reduction of the surface BCSA was observed after endotracheal suctioning. The reduction was partly reversed by the postsuction recruitment maneuver. An illustrative example is shown in Figure 4, which also shows that the bronchial response to endotracheal suctioning differed according to the size of the airways.


View larger version (149K):
[in this window]
[in a new window]
 
Figure 4.   CT scan sections obtained under control conditions, immediately after endotracheal suctioning, and after the recruitment maneuver following suctioning at an FIO2 of 0.3 in one sheep (first three photographs). Endotracheal suctioning induced a reduction of BCSA that was reversed by the recruitment maneuver after suctioning. In all sheep, the percent change in surface BCSA after endotracheal suctioning (Delta BCSA) differed according to the surface BCSA under the control condition (right lower panel ).

Pretreatment with pure oxygen. As shown in Figure 5, endotracheal suctioning reduced surface BCSA by only 7 ± 32% at FIO2 = 1, versus a reduction of 38 ± 15% at FIO2 = 0.3 (p < 0.01).


View larger version (24K):
[in this window]
[in a new window]
 
Figure 5.   Percent of change in surface BCSA (Delta BCSA) at an FIO2 of 0.3 and an FIO2 of 1.0 without and with lidocaine pretreatment, immediately after endotracheal suctioning (ETS), and after the recruitment maneuver following suctioning (RM). An FIO2 of 1 and pretreament with lidocaine prevented an endotracheal suctioning-induced decrease in surface BCSA.

Pre-treatment with lidocaine. Changes in surface BCSA with and without pretreatment with inhaled lidocaine were compared in 25 bronchi from three sheep (Figure 5). The endotracheal suctioning-induced decrease in BCSA was attenuated by lidocaine (p < 0.05).

Correlation between respiratory resistance and surface BCSA. There was a significant inverse correlation between changes in surface BCSA and DRrs (Figure 6). No correlation of surface BCSA was found with changes in Rminsrs and Rmax,rs.


View larger version (10K):
[in this window]
[in a new window]
 
Figure 6.   Correlations between changes in surface BCSA (Delta BCSA), changes in Delta DRrs, and changes in Delta Rmin,rs. There was a significant inverse correlation between changes in surface BCSA and DRrs (upper panel ), whereas no correlation was found between changes in surface Delta BCSA and changes in Rmin,rs.

Effects of Endotracheal Suctioning on Lung Aeration

FIO2-0.3. Lung aeration could be analyzed in eight sheep. In four of these sheep, endotracheal suctioning induced an increase in areas of nonaerated parenchyma of at least 30% which was entirely reversed by the postsuction recruitment maneuver.

Pretreatment with pure oxygen. At FIO2-1.0, lung aeration could be analyzed in four sheep. Endotracheal suctioning induced an increase in areas of nonaerated parenchyma of more than 30% in one of these four sheep and in more than 60% in the other three sheep. In all animals, the extension of nonaerated lung regions was greater at FIO2-1.0 than at FIO2-0.3. An illustrative example is shown in Figure 7. Atelectasis was completely reversed by the postsuction recruitment maneuver.


View larger version (127K):
[in this window]
[in a new window]
 
Figure 7.   CT scan sections obtained under control conditions, immediately after endotracheal suctioning, and after the recruitment maneuver following suctioning at an FIO2 of 0.3 (upper panels) and FIO2 of 1.0 (lower panels) in the same sheep. Endotracheal suctioning decreased the aeration of dependent lung parenchyma, leading to atelectatic lung regions that were reopened by the recruitment maneuver following suctioning. The extension of atelectatic lung regions was greater at an FIO2 of 1.0 than at an FIO2 of 0.3.

Pretreatment with lidocaine (FIO2-0.3). Pretreatment with lidocaine did not prevent endotracheal suctioning-induced atelectasis.

    DISCUSSION
TOP
ABSTRACT
INTRODUCTION
METHODS
RESULTS
DISCUSSION
REFERENCES

In mechanically ventilated sheep with normal lungs, endotracheal suctioning induced a significant reduction in the surface BCSA of bronchi of more than 1 mm in diameter. It also induced an increase in respiratory resistance, an impairment of arterial oxygenation, and the appearance of atelectatic lung areas. The reduction of surface BCSA was attenuated by hyperoxygenation before suctioning, and was abolished by the use of aerosolized lidocaine before suctioning. Atelectasis was aggravated by hyperoxygenation before suctioning, and could only be reversed by a postsuction recruitment maneuver.

Endotracheal Suctioning-Induced Reduction of Bronchial Diameter

Following endotracheal suctioning, a significant reduction surface BCSA was observed at FIO2 = 0.3. Two mechanisms are likely to have contributed to this reduction of surface BCSA: (1) a loss of lung volume related to the loss of aeration resulting from the negative pressure applied during the suction procedure; and (2) reflex bronchoconstriction (24).

A constriction of bronchial muscles can be provoked by the direct stimulation of bronchial stretch receptors caused by moving a suction catheter in the airways (13). Endotracheal suctioning-induced arterial oxygen desaturation may also and independently increase bronchomotor tone (25). Fisher and colleagues studied the responsiveness of airway smooth muscle to hypoxia by administering a 10% O2 mixture to paralyzed and ventilated cats (25). They observed a 50% increase in Rmax,rs. Two different mechanisms accounted for the hypoxia-induced bronchoconstriction: direct stimulation of bronchopulmonary afferent branches of the vagal nerve (28), and the release of bronchoconstrictor mediators by mast cells (29). The results of the present study strongly suggest that endotracheal suctioning induces a true bronchoconstriction. First, the endotracheal suctioning-induced decrease in surface BCSA and increase in respiratory resistance were totally prevented by the administration of lidocaine before suctioning, possibly because of a blockade of stretch receptors. Second, hyperoxygenation before suctioning suppressed the endotracheal suctioning-induced decrease in surface BCSA despite an extension of atelectatic lung regions. When endotracheal suctioning was performed at FIO2 = 0.3, significant arterial oxygen desaturation was observed, and was accompanied by a significant reduction of surface BCSA. When endotracheal suctioning was performed at FIO2 = 1.0, arterial oxygenation desaturation and a reduction of surface BCSA were prevented. These findings suggest that hyperoxygenation before suctioning reverses the component of bronchoconstriction related to endotracheal suctioning-induced hypoxemia. However, neither lidocaine- nor oxygen-induced blockade of the decrease in surface BCSA prevented an endotracheal suctioning-induced increase in QS/QT, suggesting that atelectasis was largely involved in the impairment of arterial oxygenation.

Endotracheal Suctioning-Induced Atelectasis

Pulmonary atelectasis following endotracheal suctioning and identified by thoracic CT was reported by Brochard and coworkers in patients with acute lung injury (1). In these patients, endotracheal suctioning was associated with an increase in lung CT attenuation and a 400-ml loss of lung volume. In the present study, in which sheep with normal lungs were studied, atelectatic lung areas were observed in half of the animals at an FIO2 of 0.3 and in all animals at an FIO2 of 1. As expected, the loss of lung aeration from atelectasis was associated with a decrease in lung compliance and a significant increase in the resistance of lung tissue.

Atelectasis may have been caused by three mechanisms: (1) a loss of lung volume related to the high negative pressure applied during the suctioning procedure; (2) the closure of bronchi resulting from endotracheal suctioning-induced bronchoconstriction, and (3) the alveolar collapse associated with the administration of pure O2. Mitzner and coworkers have clearly shown that lung compliance, TLC, and RV decrease after bronchial constriction, indicating that the conducting airways play an important role in the regulation of lung elasticity (30). The increase in QS/QT observed at an FIO2 of 1.0 matched the greater extension of atelectatic lung regions evidenced in all sheep, and was in accordance with the notion that pure oxygen can induce alveolar collapse (31, 32).

Relationships Between Respiratory Resistance and Surface BCSA

We combined HRCT scanning and the constant inspiratory flow occlusion method to assess the bronchial effects of endotracheal suctioning. The HRCT method has the advantages of being quantitative, reproducible, and noninvasive, allowing an accurate assessment of the surface BCSA of different-sized airways down to a diameter of 1 mm. In addition, it is the only existing method that can show locoregional differences in airway reactivity (33, 34). Classically, in animals or humans whose lungs are mechanically ventilated, resistance of the respiratory system, including respiratory tubing and conducting airways, is measured by applying an end-inspiratory occlusion after the administration of a constant inspiratory flow (16, 17). In the present study, we preferred to do this by manual clamping rather than automatic interruption from the ventilator in order to eliminate errors in the measurement of respiratory resistance related to excessive closing time and incomplete sealing by the automatic interrupter device (35). In addition, we measured airway pressure at the distal tip of the endotracheal tube, and Rmax,rs therefore reflected only the resistive properties of conducting airways and lung tissue. In the study, we showed that an endotracheal suctioning-induced decrease in surface BCSA was associated with a predominant increase in DRrs. After endotracheal suctioning, some parts of the lungs became atelectatic, and various degrees of bronchoconstriction were observed in the bronchial tree. As a consequence, lung elasticity decreased, regional time constants of the lungs became more heterogeneous, and DRrs increased. Very logically, a good correlation was found between changes in DRrs and changes in surface BCSA.

Prevention and Treatment of Endotracheal Suctioning-Induced Hypoxemia, Bronchoconstriction and Atelectasis

Different maneuvers have been proposed to prevent endotracheal suctioning-induced hypoxemia in patients with acute lung injury (ALI). It has been shown that a constant insufflation of 12 L/min of O2 administered throughout the period of endotracheal suctioning prevents arterial O2 desaturation and loss of lung aeration. However, this procedure requires the reintubation of critically ill patients with a special endotracheal tube incorporating multiple side ports. The use of a closed suctioning system has been proposed as an alternative (36). However, this may result in partial obstruction of the endotracheal tube and may cause an increase in respiratory resistance (37).

A recruitment maneuver after suctioning has also been recommended to prevent arterial oxygen desaturation during and after endotracheal suctioning (8, 32). The present study confirms that a recruitment maneuver consisting of 20 consecutive breaths, each of 20 ml/kg volume and applied immediately at the end of endotracheal suctioning, reverses atelectasis and the increase in respiratory resistance. It should be pointed out that this beneficial effect was obtained in sheep with normal lungs, and that it may not be observed in animals or patients with ALI. Because bronchial reactivity is often increased and nonaerated pulmonary parenchyma is already present before endotracheal suctioning, these effects could increase hypoxemia and bronchoconstriction and render the recruitment maneuver less efficient. Additional studies are required to determine the type of postsuctioning recruitment maneuver that would be the most effective for reversing endotracheal suctioning-induced loss of lung aeration and bronchoconstriction in the presence of ALI.

In summary, we found that in normal sheep, hyperoxygenation before suctioning prevents endotracheal suctioning- induced bronchoconstriction and arterial oxygen desaturation, but not atelectasis or an increase in QS/QT. Aerosolized lidocaine prevents the bronchoconstriction related to suctioning-induced reflex bronchial stimulation, but does not prevent atelectasis or impairment of arterial oxygenation. A recruitment maneuver after suctioning appears to be the only method that can reverse bronchoconstriction, the increase in QS/QT and atelectasis resulting from endotracheal suctioning.

    Footnotes

Correspondence and requests for reprints should be addressed to Pr. J.-J. Rouby, Réanimation Chirurgicale Pierre Viars, Department of Anesthesiology, La Pitié- Salpêtrière Hospital, 47-83, Boulevard de l'Hôpital, 75013 Paris, France. E-mail: jjrouby.pitie{at}invivo.edu

(Received in original form March 16, 2000 and in revised form June 22, 2000).

Acknowledgments: Supported by grant 920908 from the Institut National de la Sante et de la Recherche Medicale, France.
    References
TOP
ABSTRACT
INTRODUCTION
METHODS
RESULTS
DISCUSSION
REFERENCES

1. Brochard L, Mion G, Isabey D, Bertrand C, Messadi AA, Mancebo J, Boussignac G, Vasile N, Lemaire F, Harf A. Constant-flow insufflation prevents arterial oxygen desaturation during endotracheal suctioning. Am Rev Respir Dis 1991; 144: 395-400 [Medline].

2. Nadel JA, Widdicomb JG. Reflex effects of upper airway irritation on total lung resistance and blood pressure. J Appl Physiol 1962; 17: 861-865 [Abstract/Free Full Text].

3. Kleiber C, Krutzfield N, Rose EF. Acute histologic changes in the tracheobronchial tree associated with different suction catheter insertion techniques. Heart Lung 1988; 17: 10-14 [Medline].

4. Shim C, Fine N, Fernanandez R, Williams MH. Cardiac arrhythmias resulting from tracheal suctioning. Ann Intern Med 1969; 71: 1149-1153 .

5. Durand M, Sangha B, Cabal LA, Hoppenbrouwers T, Hodgman JE. Cardiopulmonary and intracranial pressure changes related to endotracheal suctioning in preterm infants. Crit Care Med 1989; 17: 506-510 [Medline].

6. Fineberg C, Cohn HE, Gibbon JH. Cardiac arrest during nasotracheal aspiration. JAMA 1960; 174: 148-150 .

7. Goodnough SK. The effects of oxygen and hyperinflation on arterial oxygen tension after endotracheal suctioning. Heart Lung 1985; 14: 11-17 [Medline].

8. Kerem E, Yatsiv I, Goitein KJ. Effect of endotracheal suctioning on arterial blood gases in children. Intensive Care Med 1990; 16: 95-99 [Medline].

9. McIntosh D, Baun MM, Rogge J. Effects of lung hyperinflation and presence of positive end-expiratory pressure on arterial and tissue oxygenation during endotracheal suctioning. Am J Crit Care 1993; 2: 317-325 .

10. Cabal L, Devaskar S, Siassi B, Playstek C, Waffarn F, Blanco C, Hodgman J. New endotracheal tube adaptor reducing cardiopulmonary effects of suctioning. Crit Care Med 1979; 7: 552-555 [Medline].

11. Barnes CA, Kirchhoff KT. Minimizing hypoxemia due to endotracheal suctioning: a review of the literature. Heart Lung 198615:164-176.

12. Guglielminotti J, Desmonts JM, Dureuil B. Effects of tracheal suctioning on respiratory resistances in mechanically ventilated patients. Chest 1998; 113: 1335-1338 [Abstract/Free Full Text].

13. Woodburne CR, Powaser MM. Mechanisms responsible for the sustained fall in arterial oxygen tension after endotracheal suctioning in dogs. Nurs Res 1980; 29: 312-316 [Medline].

14. Jain SK, Trenchard D, Reynolds F, Noble MIM, Guz A. The effects of local anaesthesia of the airways on respiratory reflexes in the rabbit. Clin Sci 1973; 44: 519-538 [Medline].

15. Groeben H, Silvanus MT, Beste M, Peters J. Both intravenous and inhaled lidocaine attenuate reflex bronchoconstriction but at different plasma concentrations. Am J Respir Crit Care Med 1999; 159: 530-535 [Abstract/Free Full Text].

16. Rossi A, Gottfried SB, Higgs BD, Zocchi L, Grassino A, Milic-Emili J. Respiratory mechanics in mechanically ventilated patients with respiratory failure. J Appl Physiol 1985; 58: 1849-1858 [Abstract/Free Full Text].

17. Bates JHT, Rossi A, Milic-Emili J. Analysis of the behavior of the respiratory system with constant inspiratory flow. J Appl Physiol 1985; 58: 1840-1848 [Abstract/Free Full Text].

18. Brown RH, Robbins W, Staats P, Hirshman C. Prevention of bronchoconstriction by an orally active local anesthetic. Am J Respir Crit Care Med 1995; 151: 1239-1243 [Abstract].

19. Bulut Y, Hirshman CA, Brown RH. Prevention of lidocaine aerosol-induced bronchoconstriction with intravenous lidocaine. Anesthesiology 1996; 85: 853-859 [Medline].

20. Herold CJ, Brown RH, Mitzner W, Links JM, Hirshman CA, Zerhouni EA. Assessment of pulmonary airway reactivity with high-resolution CT. Radiology 1991; 181: 369-374 [Abstract/Free Full Text].

21. Goldin JG, McNitt-Gray MF, Sorenson SM, Johnson TD, Dauphinee B, Kleerup EC, Tashkin DP, Aberle DR. 1998. Airway hyperreactivity: assessment with helical thin-section CT. Radiology 1998; 208: 321-329 [Abstract/Free Full Text].

22. Jonson B, Nordstrom L, Olsson SG, Akerback D. Monitoring of ventilation and lung mechanics during automatic ventilation: a new device. Bull Eur Physiopathol Respir 1975; 11: 729-743 .

23. Preteux F, Fetita CI, Capderou A, Grenier P. Modeling, segmentation and caliber estimation of bronchi in high resolution computerized tomography. J Electronic Imaging 1999; 8: 36-45 .

24. Nakamura M, Sasaki H, Takishima T, Hildebrandt J. Bronchial length and diameter behavior during bronchial collapse in excised dog lungs. Respir Physiol 1981; 43: 107-116 [Medline].

25. Fisher JT, Waldron MA, Armstrong CJ. Effects of hypoxia on lung mechanics in newborn cats. Can J Physiol Pharmacol 1987; 65: 1234-1238 [Medline].

26. Iscoe S, Fisher JT. Bronchomotor responses to hypoxia and hypercapnia in decerabrate cats. J Appl Physiol 1995; 78: 117-123 [Abstract/Free Full Text].

27. Watney GC, Hall LW, Jordan C. Influence of acute isocapnic hypoxia on bronchial calibre and "expiratory reserve" volume in dogs. Br J Anaesth 1988; 61: 407-412 [Abstract/Free Full Text].

28. Yu LK, Lee LY, Frazier DT. Effects of bronchoconstriction on breathing during normoxia and hypoxia in anesthetized cats. Respir Physiol 1984; 57: 31-45 [Medline].

29. Ahmed T, Marchette B. Hypoxia enhances nonspecific bronchial reactivity. Am Rev Respir Dis 1985; 132: 839-844 [Medline].

30. Mitzner W, Blosser S, Yager D, Wagner E. Effect of bronchial smooth mucle contraction on lung volume. J Appl Physiol 1992; 72: 158-167 [Abstract/Free Full Text].

31. Jenkinson SG. Oxygen toxicity. New Horiz 1:504-511.

32. Rothen HU, Sporre B, Engberg G, Wegenius G, Hogman M, Hedenstierna G. Influence of gas composition on recurrence of atelectasis after a reexpansion maneuver during general anesthesia. Anesthesiology 1995; 82: 832-842 [Medline].

33. Brown RH, Herold CJ, Hirshman CA, Zerhouni EA, Mitzner W. In vivo measurements of airway reactivity using high-resolution computed tomography. Am Rev Respir Dis 1991; 144: 208-212 [Medline].

34. Zerhouni EA, Herold CJ, Brown RH, Wetzel RC, Hirshman CA, Robotham JL, Mitzner W. High-resolution computed tomography-physiologic correlation. J Thorac Imaging 1993; 8: 265-272 [Medline].

35. Kessler V, Mols G, Bernhard H, Haberthur C, Guttmann J. Interrupter airway and tissue resistance: errors caused by valve properties and respiratory system compliance. J Appl Physiol 1999; 87: 1546-1554 [Abstract/Free Full Text].

36. Mosca FA, Colnaghi M, Lattanzio M, Bray M, Pugliese S, Fumagalli M. Closed versus open endotracheal suctioning in preterm infants: effects on cerebral oxygenation and blood volume. Biol Neonate 1997; 72: 9-14 [Medline].

37. Glass C, Grap MJ, Sessler CN. Endotracheal tube narrowing after closed-system suctioning: prevalence and risk factors. Am J Crit Care 1999; 8: 93-100 .





This article has been cited by other articles:


Home page
Eur Respir JHome page
I. Moran, E. Zavala, R. Fernandez, L. Blanch, and J. Mancebo
Recruitment manoeuvres in acute lung injury/acute respiratory distress syndrome
Eur. Respir. J., August 1, 2003; 22(42_suppl): 37s - 42s.
[Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]


Home page
Am. J. Respir. Crit. Care Med.Home page
S. M. Maggiore, F. Lellouche, J. Pigeot, S. Taille, N. Deye, X. Durrmeyer, J.-C. Richard, J. Mancebo, F. Lemaire, and L. Brochard
Prevention of Endotracheal Suctioning-induced Alveolar Derecruitment in Acute Lung Injury
Am. J. Respir. Crit. Care Med., May 1, 2003; 167(9): 1215 - 1224.
[Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]


Home page
Am. J. Respir. Crit. Care Med.Home page
A. VILLAGRA, A. OCHAGAVIA, S. VATUA, G. MURIAS, M. DEL MAR FERNANDEZ, J. L. AGUILAR, R. FERNANDEZ, and L. BLANCH
Recruitment Maneuvers during Lung Protective Ventilation in Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome
Am. J. Respir. Crit. Care Med., January 15, 2002; 165(2): 165 - 170.
[Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]


Home page
Am. J. Respir. Crit. Care Med.Home page
M. J. TOBIN
Critical Care Medicine in AJRCCM 2000
Am. J. Respir. Crit. Care Med., October 15, 2001; 164(8): 1347 - 1361.
[Full Text] [PDF]


This Article
Right arrow Abstract Freely available
Right arrow Full Text (PDF)
Right arrow Alert me when this article is cited
Right arrow Alert me if a correction is posted
Services
Right arrow Similar articles in this journal
Right arrow Similar articles in PubMed
Right arrow Alert me to new issues of the journal
Right arrow Download to citation manager
Right arrow reprints & permissions
Citing Articles
Right arrow Citing Articles via HighWire
Right arrow Citing Articles via Google Scholar
Google Scholar
Right arrow Articles by LU, Q.
Right arrow Articles by ROUBY, J.-J.
Right arrow Search for Related Content
PubMed
Right arrow PubMed Citation
Right arrow Articles by LU, Q.
Right arrow Articles by ROUBY, J.-J.


HOME HELP FEEDBACK SUBSCRIPTIONS ARCHIVE SEARCH TABLE OF CONTENTS
Proc. Am. Thorac. Soc. Am. J. Respir. Cell Mol. Biol.
Copyright © 2000 American Thoracic Society