It is well accepted that heated and humidified inspiratory gases support the airway’s role as a natural defence system as well as promote clear, open airways for efficient gas exchange and ventilation.1
Heated humidifiers support both Optimal Humidity in the airways and optimal ventilation, with a wide range of patient indications and product solutions.
Humidity for the care continuum
Humidification is a key component across the respiratory care continuum, with heated humidifiers supporting a wide range of patient populations and indications.
Of particular importance, humidification has been shown to assist the function of the mucociliary transport system and is key in supporting physiological balance.1
For neonates and infants, the respiratory care continuum includes T-piece resuscitation.
Invasive ventilation
For invasively ventilated patients (or patients with a bypassed airway), the airway has minimal ability to humidify inspired air, so delivering Optimal Humidity is crucial and mandated by clinical guidelines.3
Using a heated humidifier minimizes instrumental dead space, supporting reduction of tidal volumes and pressures and facilitating a lung protective ventilation strategy.4,5
Noninvasive ventilation
For patients receiving noninvasive ventilation, clinical guidelines suggest that the use of heated humidification supports patient comfort and may improve therapy tolerance.3
While none of the airway mucosa is bypassed, heating and humidifying higher flow rates of dry inspired gas supports secretion clearance and can reduce sensations of airway dryness.6–8
Nasal high flow
For patients on nasal high flow (NHF) or high flow oxygen therapy (HFOT), heated, humidified gas is fundamental to the comfortable delivery of high flow rates.9,10
Airway hydration is widely accepted as one of the key mechanisms of action associated with the therapy, and heated humidification is inherent to its success.10–12