title: Gas flow rates through transtracheal ventilation catheters.
abstract: The purpose of the study was to measure gas flow rates using different methods of transtracheal ventilation. Wall oxygen flow (WOF) at 10 and 15L/min, and a self-inflating ventilation bag (SIVB) were used to deliver gas flow through three transtracheal catheters: 13, 14, and 16 gauge (5 trials each). WOF mean gas flow rates (L/min) through the 16G, 14G, 13G catheters, respectively were: 15.7, 15.7, 16.8 at 15L/min, 10.5, 10.5, 10.3 at 10 L/min, and 5.7, 7.5, 7.7 via SIVB. SIVB gas flow was not continuous since it required the bag to reinflate, which reduces its calculated flow rate. A 500 cc tidal volume can be delivered within 3 seconds (WOF) and 5 seconds (SIVB). Catheter size did not substantially affect gas flow rates (Poiseuille's law not applicable). Transtracheal ventilation is best done by using WOF, but if a device to perform this is not available, then an SIVB may still be sufficient.
authors.affiliation: Energency Department, Kapiolani Medical for Women and Children, Department of Pediatrics, University of Hawaii John A. Burns School of Medicine, 1319 Punahou Street, Honolulu, HI 96826, USA.
authors.forename: Jonathan K
authors.initials: JK
authors.lastname: Marr
authors.forename: Loren G
authors.initials: LG
authors.lastname: Yamamoto
mesh_terms: D002404:Catheterization; D004867:Equipment Design; D006801:Humans; D007442:Intubation, Intratracheal / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods; D010100:Oxygen / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D012121:Respiration, Artificial / Q000295:instrumentation* / Q000379:methods; D012151:Resuscitation / Q000379:methods
chemical_list: D010100:Oxygen