Continuous versus intermittent cuff pressure monitoring in preventing ventilator-associated pneumonia: a multicentre randomised controlled trial
Abstract
While continuous cuff pressure monitoring (CCPM) offers theoretical advantages in patients with ventilator-associated pneumonia (VAP), its clinical benefits remain controversial. This study aimed to investigate whether CCPM reduces VAP incidence compared with intermittent cuff pressure monitoring (ICPM) and its impact on nursing workload. We conducted a multicentre, open-label randomised controlled trial across eight tertiary hospitals in China. Adult intensive care unit (ICU) patients requiring mechanical ventilation for ≥ 48 h were randomly assigned (1:1) to CCPM (n = 105) or ICPM (n = 108). Patients with tracheotomy, nasotracheal intubation or contraindications for semi-recumbent positioning were excluded. Randomisation was conducted using sealed opaque envelopes. The primary outcome was VAP incidence, diagnosed per Chinese Respiratory Society guidelines. Secondary outcomes included nursing workload, the percentage of time cuff pressure (Pcuff) was maintained at the target range (25–30 cm H2O), the duration of mechanical ventilation, ICU stay and ICU mortality. The VAP incidence did not differ significantly between the CCPM and ICPM groups (16.2% vs. 17.6%; P = 0.79), but the CCPM group significantly reduced the cumulative time spent on Pcuff adjustments within 48 h (85 s vs. 660 s; P 0.05). Continuous cuff pressure monitoring did not reduce VAP incidence compared with ICPM but significantly decreased nursing workload and improved Pcuff control, suggesting that CCPM may…
How strong is the evidence?
Evidence Hub reads this as a randomized trial, done in people. Its evidence level is 2 of 5 (High · randomized trial). Randomized trials of a reasonable size are the strongest single-study design. Reported size: 108 participants or records.
Read the paper
Related studies
- Severe clinical outcomes of COVID-19 associated with proton pump inhibitors: a nationwide cohort study with propensity score matching
- Levofloxacin-Induced Tendon Rupture: A Case Report and Review of the Literature
- Association between cord blood 25-hydroxyvitamin D concentrations and respiratory tract infections in the first 6 months of age in a Korean population: a birth cohort study (COCOA)
- Neuroprotective Effects of Epicatechin against Oxidative Stress-Induced Cognitive Impairment: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis
- Quality evaluation and in vitro interaction studies between levofloxacin 250mg and diclofenac sodium 50mg tablets
- Molecular Epidemiology of mcr-1 -Positive Polymyxin B-Resistant Escherichia coli Producing Extended-Spectrum β-Lactamase (ESBL) in a Tertiary Hospital in Shandong, China
Go deeper in Evidence Hub
Evidence Hub adds a study data sheet (design, sample size, evidence level, key numbers), an AI summary and a chat grounded in the paper's text.