title: The micro-trach. A seven-year experience with transtracheal oxygen therapy.
abstract: Over a six-year period, 200 patients requiring long-term oxygen therapy for hypoxemic lung disease underwent insertion of the micro-trach transtracheal catheter and were evaluated for one to seven years. The catheter requires no removal for cleaning; it is designed to function undisturbed within the trachea for six months between replacements. Transtracheal oxygen delivery and saline instillation were instituted immediately after inserting the device. Oxygen administration at a rate of 0.25 to 3 L/min was equivalent to 1 to 8 L/min delivered nasally. By the end of one year of follow-up, 12.5 percent of patients had dropped out of the study. Most patients comply with prescribed 24-hour-a-day oxygen use; in keeping with the NOTT study, life expectancy of emphysema patients may therefore be increased.
authors.affiliation: Heimlich Institute at Xavier University, Cincinnati 45207-1096.
authors.forename: H J
authors.initials: HJ
authors.lastname: Heimlich
authors.forename: G C
authors.initials: GC
authors.lastname: Carr
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D002245:Carbon Dioxide / Q000097:blood; D002408:Catheters, Indwelling; D004417:Dyspnea / Q000628:therapy; D004867:Equipment Design; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007442:Intubation, Intratracheal; D008173:Lung Diseases, Obstructive / Q000628:therapy; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010100:Oxygen / Q000097:blood; D010102:Oxygen Inhalation Therapy / Q000295:instrumentation*; D010349:Patient Compliance; D011009:Pneumoconiosis / Q000628:therapy; D011658:Pulmonary Fibrosis / Q000628:therapy
chemical_list: D002245:Carbon Dioxide; D010100:Oxygen