Evaluation of Endotracheal Tube Cuff Pressure in Intubated Patients in Emergency Department, Operating Rooms, and Icus of Imam Khomeini Hospital Complex in 2018; A Cross Sectional Study

Establishing and maintaining a secure airway using a cuffed endotracheal tube (ETT) is an important step in management of intubated patients. Out-of-range ETT cuff pressure is associated with various complications which could lengthen the hospital stay. The aim of this cross-sectional study was to evaluate ETT cuff pressure in intubated patients in the emergency department (ED), operating rooms (ORs), and Intensive Care Units (ICUs) of Imam Khomeini Hospital Complex (IKHC), Tehran, Iran.

The ETT cuff pressure of 153 patients was measured using a standard manometer. Demographic data and duration of intubation were recorded. The data were analysed using the SPSS software version 16. P values less than 0.05 were considered significant.

The ETT cuff pressure exceeded the recommended range in 125 out of 153 patients (81.7%). The mean cuff pressure (67.29 cmH2O) was significantly higher than the recommended range (p<0.001). The cuff pressure was higher in patients in the ORs compared to patients in the ED and ICU (OR=8.46, p<0.001).

Intubation in the OR can be considered a risk factor for higher-than-normal ETT cuff pressure and subsequent complications. The ETT cuff pressure monitoring by means of a manometer is recommended.