Efficacy of heat and moisture exchangers in preventing ventilator-associated pneumonia: meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials.
OBJECTIVE
Several randomized controlled trials (RCT) have examined the effect of antibacterial humidification strategies, particularly the replacement of heated humidifiers (HH) by heat and moisture exchangers (HME), in preventing ventilator-associated pneumonia (VAP). The present meta-analysis reviews these RCTs.


METHODS
RCTs were identified by searching the Medline and Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials databases from 1990 to 2003. We included RCTs using HMEs in the treatment group and HHs in the control group and reporting the incidence of pneumonia as a study outcome. Two investigators independently abstracted key data on design, population, intervention and outcome of the studies.


RESULTS
Between 1990 and 2003 eight RCTs met the inclusion criteria of this analysis. Pooling the results from these studies revealed a reduction in the relative risk of VAP in the HME group (0.7), particularly in MV with a duration of at least 7 days (five RCTs, relative risk 0.57).


CONCLUSIONS
This meta-analysis found a significant reduction in the incidence of VAP in patients humidified with HMEs during MV, particularly in patients ventilated for 7 days or longer. This finding is limited by the exclusion of patients at high risk for airway occlusion from some of the studies. Moreover, contraindications (tenacious secretions, airway obstructive disease, hypothermia) and technical issues of HMEs must be considered. Further RCTs are necessary to examine the wider applicability of HMEs and their extended use.
Kola
Axel
A
Institut für Medizinische Mikrobiologie und Krankenhaushygiene, Medizinische Hochschule Hannover, Carl-Neuberg-Strasse 1, 30625 Hanover, Germany. kola.axel@mh-hannover.de
Eckmanns
Tim
T
Gastmeier
Petra
P
D000389:Air Conditioning / Q000379:methods*; D006361:Heating; D006801:Humans; D006813:Humidity; D007362:Intensive Care Units; D011014:Pneumonia / Q000209:etiology / Q000517:prevention & control; D016032:Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic; D012121:Respiration, Artificial / Q000009:adverse effects*