Automated Secretion Removal in ICU Patients

Study Overview
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Brief Summary
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SUMMARY Rationale In intubated and mechanically ventilated critically ill patients, removal of airway secretions is typically performed by tracheal suctioning, an intervention that is labor-intensive and very unpleasant for the patient. The current study tests the hypothesis that a novel secretion removal technology named TrachFlush, that pushes airway secretions past and above the cuff of the endotracheal tube, reduces the need for tracheal suctioning. Objective The primary objective of this study is to evaluate whether use of the TrachFlush reduces the need for tracheal suctioning. In a selection of patients, one secondary objective is to ascertain the exact volume of airway secretions that is pushed past and above the cuff of the endotracheal tube. Study design Open prospective intervention study. Study population One hundred adult, intubated and mechanically ventilated ICU patients expected to need invasive ventilation > 24 hours. Intervention The attending nurses activate the TrachFlush when there are secretions present in the larger airways that need to be removed. If this results into a push of airway secretions past and above the cuff of the endotracheal tube, no further action is needed. If unsuccessful, the nurse will perform a standard tracheal suctioning procedure to remove the secretions. In a subset of patients with an endotracheal tube that allows subglottal suctioning, the exact amount of airway secretions present above the cuff will be measured each time the TrachFlush is used. Main study parameters/endpoints The proportion of successful TrachFlush activations from start of the study to complete weaning from the ventilator, or a maximum of 7 days (primary). Secondary endpoints include the total number of TrachFlush activations during the same time window (all patients), and the exact amount of airway secretions pushed past and above the cuff of the endotracheal tube (in patients with a tube allows subglottal suctioning). Nature and extent of the burden and risks associated with participation, benefit and group relatedness Inappropriate deflation or inflation of the endotracheal cuff by the TrachFlush could cause harm. However, the cuff pressure will be checked regularly, and if necessary corrected, at least every time the TrachFlush has been used. Patients may benefit from the intervention, as the need for tracheal suctioning may reduce.

Official Title
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Effect of an Automated Secretion Removal Technology, Named TrachFlush, on the Need for Tracheal Suctioning - Protocol for a Study in Intubated and Mechanically Ventilated Intensive Care Unit Patients

Conditions
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Mechanical Ventilation Complication

Intervention / Treatment
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* Device: TrachFlush


Participation Criteria
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Eligibility Criteria
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Inclusion Criteria: admission to one of the participating ICUs; intubated with an endotracheal tube containing a cuff; receiving invasive mechanical ventilation; and expected to need invasive ventilation beyond the following calendar day at the moment of inclusion. Exclusion Criteria: age < 18 years; known or suspected tracheal damage, e.g., after inhalation trauma, thorax trauma, or intubation trauma; any condition for which deflation of the endotracheal cuff is deemed detrimental, e.g., in case high airway pressures are needed; and any infection, or colonization with pathogens that require strict single isolation of the patient (cohort isolation is allowed).

Ages Eligible for Study
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Minimum Age: 18 Years

Sexes Eligible for Study
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All

Accepts Healthy Volunteers
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No

Study Plan
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How is the study designed?
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Design Details

Primary Purpose: Treatment
Intervention Model: Single Group Assignment
Masking: None (Open Label)


Arms and Interventions

| Participant Group/Arm | Intervention/Treatment |
| --- | --- |
| Other: TrachFlush<br> | Device: TrachFlush<br>* The attending nurses activate the TrachFlush when there are secretions present in the larger airways that need to be removed. If this results into a push of airway secretions past and above the cuff of the endotracheal tube, no further action is needed. If unsuccessful, the nurse will perform a standard tracheal suctioning procedure to remove the secretions. In a subset of patients with an endotracheal tube that allows subglottal suctioning, the exact amount of airway secretions present above the cuff will be measured each time the TrachFlush is used.<br>* Other names: endotracheal suctioning;|

What is the study measuring?
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Primary Outcome Measures

| Outcome Measure | Measure Description | Time Frame |
| --- | --- | --- |
| proportion of successful TrachFlush activations from start of the study to complete weaning from the ventilator, or a maximum of 7 days |  | 7 days | 

Secondary Outcome Measures

| Outcome Measure | Measure Description | Time Frame |
| --- | --- | --- |
| total number of TrachFlush activations during the same time window (all patients) |  | 7 days | 
| incidence of hypoxemia related to the TrachFlush activation or tracheal suction |  | 7 days | 
| Incidence of hypotension related to the TrachFlush activation or tracheal suction |  | 7 days | 
| Incidence of patient agitation related to the TrachFlush activation or tracheal suctions |  | 7 days | 
| The volume of subglottal secretions with each TrachFlush intervention (in a patients with an endotracheal tube in place that allows subglottic suctioning). |  | 7days |