Effects of endotracheal tube cuff pressure regulation with minimal occlusion volume on incidence of ventilator-associated pneumonia

Introduction: Regulation of endotracheal tube cuff pressure is a caring challenge in patients with mechanical ventilation. There are different methods for regulation of cuff pressure. The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of regulation of cuff pressure with minimal occlusion volume (MOV) method on incidence of ventilator associated pneumonia (VAP). Materials and Methods: In this pilot and quasi-experimental study, 40 patients in intensive care units were selected purpose fully with specific criteria and randomly allocated in two groups (estimated and MOV). In the estimated group, one of experienced nurses estimated cuff pressure and in the MOV group, cuff pressure regulated with no leakage in peak of inspiratory pressure. Cuff pressure and score of clinical pneumonia was measured in four days. Results: Findings showed that mean of cuff pressure in estimated group was 50.35±9.5 cmH2O and in MOV was 20.78±1.4 cmH2O. Patients in two groups were similar in VAP related factors (P>0.05). In pneumonia scores two groups were not significantly different (P=0.968). Conclusion: Findings showed that regulation of cuff pressure with MOV in patients under mechanical ventilation can cause seal endotracheal tube and prevented pneumonia without over-inflation and tracheal injury.