Skip to main content

Active Versus Passive Humidification: Efficiency Comparison Between the Methods

  • Chapter
  • First Online:
Humidification in the Intensive Care Unit

Abstract

Physiological conditioning of ambient air occurs in the upper airways at a temperature of 37°C and a relative humidity of 100% (absolute humidity 44 mgH2O/l) in the alveoli. During invasive or noninvasive mechanical ventilation dry air is delivered by the ventilator to the patient with high flow and high pressure.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this chapter

Chapter
USD 29.95
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
eBook
USD 89.00
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as EPUB and PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
Softcover Book
USD 119.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Compact, lightweight edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free shipping worldwide - see info

Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout

Purchases are for personal use only

Institutional subscriptions

Abbreviations

CPAP:

Continuous positive airway pressure

HH:

Heated humidifier

HME:

Heat and moisture exchanger

HMEF:

Heat and moisture exchanger and mechanical filter

IMV:

Invasive mechanical ventilation

NIV:

Noninvasive ventilation

p0.1:

Mouth occlusion pressure 0.1 s after start of inspiration

pCO2 :

Partial pressure of carbon dioxide

VAP:

Ventilator-associated pneumonia

WOB:

Work of breathing

References

  1. Ricard JD, Cook D, Griffith L et al (2002) Physicians’ attitude to use heat and moisture exchan­gers or heated humidifiers: a Franco-Canadian survey. Intensive Care Med 28:719–725

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  2. Cohen IL, Weinberg PF, Fein IA et al (1988) Endotracheal tube occlusion associated with the use of heat and moisture exchangers in the intensive care unit. Crit Care Med 16:277–279

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  3. ISO 9360-2001: Anaesthetic and respiratory equipment – Heat and moisture exchangers (HMEs) for humidifying respired gases in humans. Part 2: HMEs for use with tracheostomized patients having minimum tidal volumes of 250 ml

    Google Scholar 

  4. Rathgeber J (2006) Devices used to humidify respired gases. Respir Care Clin N Am 12:165–182

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  5. Lellouche F, Taille S, Lefrancois F et al (2009) Humidification performance of 48 passive airway humidifiers – comparison with manufacturer data. Chest 135:276–286

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  6. Ricard JD, Le Miere E, Markowicz P et al (2000) Efficiency and safety of mechanical ventilation with a heat and moisture exchanger changed only once a week. Am J Respir Crit Care Med 161:104–109

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  7. ISO 8185-2007: Respiratory tract humidifiers for medical use – Particular requirements for respiratory humidification systems

    Google Scholar 

  8. Solomita M, Daroowalla F, LeBlanc D et al (2009) Y-piece temperature and humidification during mechanical ventilation. Respir Care 54:480–486

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  9. Rhame FS, Streifel A, McComb C et al (1986) Bubbling humidifiers produce microaerosols which can carry bacteria. Am J Infect Control 7:403–407

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  10. Wenzel M, Klauke M, Gessenhardt F et al (2005) Sterile water is unnecessary in a continuous positive airway pressure convection-type humidifier in the treatment of obstructive sleep apnea syndrome. Chest 128:2138–2140

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  11. Schumann S, Stahl CA, Möller K et al (2007) Moisturing and mechanical characteristics of a new counter-flow type heated humidifier. Br J Anaesth 98:531–538

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  12. Lacherade JC, Auburtin M, Cerf C et al (2005) Impact of humidification systems on ventilator-associated pneumonia. Am J Respir Crit Care Med 172:1276–1282

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  13. Rathgeber J, Kazmaier S, Penack O et al (2002) Evaluation of heated humidifiers for use on intubated patients: a comparative study of humidifying efficiency, flow resistance, and alarm functions using a lung model. Intensive Care Med 28:731–739

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  14. Iotti G, Olivei MC, Palo A et al (1997) Unfavourable mechanical effects of heat and moisture exchanger in ventilated patients. Intensive Care Med 23:399–405

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  15. Pelosi P, Solca M, Ravagnan I et al (1996) Effects of heat and moisture exchangers on minute ventilation, ventilatory drive, and work of breathing during pressure-support ventilation in acute respiratory failure. Crit Care Med 24:1184–1188

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  16. Girault C, Breton L, Ricard JD et al (2003) Mechanical effects of airway humidification devices in difficult to wean patients. Crit Care Med 31:1306–1311

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  17. Le Bourdelles G, Mier L, Fiquet B et al (1996) Comparison of the effects of heat and moisture exchangers and heated humidifiers on ventilation and gas exchange during weaning trials from mechanical ventilation. Chest 110:1294–1298

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  18. Prin S, Chergui K, Augarde R et al (2002) Ability and safety of a heated humidifier to control hypercapnic acidosis in severe ARDS. Intensive Care Med 28:1756–1760

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  19. Kirton OC, DeHeaven B, Morgan J et al (1997) A prospective, randomized comparison of an in-line heat moisture exchange filter and heated wire humidifiers. Chest 112:1055–1059

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  20. Kola A, Eckmanns T, Gastmeier P (2005) Efficacy of heat and moisture exchangers in preventing ventilator-associated pneumonia: meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials. Intensive Care Med 31:5–11

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  21. Lacherade JC, Auburtin M, Cerf C (2005) Impact of humidification systems on ventilator-associated pneumonia. A randomized multicenter trial. Am J Respir Crit Care Med 172:1276–1282

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  22. Lellouche F, Maggiore SM, Lyazidi A et al (2009) Water content of delivered gases during non-invasive ventilation in healthy subjects. Intensive Care Med 35:987–995

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  23. Jaber S, Chanques G, Matecki S et al (2002) Comparison of the effects of heat and moisture exchangers and heated humidifiers on ventilation and gas exchange during non-invasive ventilation. Intensive Care Med 28:1590–1594

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  24. Lellouche F, Maggiore SM, Deye N et al (2002) Effect of the humidification device on the work of breathing during noninvasive ventilation. Intensive Care Med 28:1582–1589

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  25. Nava S, Cirio S, Fanfulla F et al (2008) Comparison of two humidification systems for chronic non-invasive mechanical ventilation. Eur Respir J 32:460–464

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  26. Chiumello D, Chierichetti M, Tallarini M (2008) Effect of a heated humidifier during continuous positive airway pressure delivered by a helmet. Crit Care 12:R55

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

Authors

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Jens Geiseler .

Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

Copyright information

© 2012 Springer-Verlag Berlin Heidelberg

About this chapter

Cite this chapter

Geiseler, J., Fresenius, J., Karg, O. (2012). Active Versus Passive Humidification: Efficiency Comparison Between the Methods. In: Esquinas, A. (eds) Humidification in the Intensive Care Unit. Springer, Berlin, Heidelberg. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-642-02974-5_6

Download citation

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-642-02974-5_6

  • Published:

  • Publisher Name: Springer, Berlin, Heidelberg

  • Print ISBN: 978-3-642-02973-8

  • Online ISBN: 978-3-642-02974-5

  • eBook Packages: MedicineMedicine (R0)

Publish with us

Policies and ethics