title: Influence of heat and moisture exchanger use on measurements performed with manovacuometer and respirometer in healthy adults.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The use of evaluation tools such as the manovacuometer and respirometer is frequent and disinfection is usually limited to the external surfaces, which is insufficient and raises concerns because of the potential spread of infectious diseases. Hydrophobic heat and moisture exchangers (HME) are used in mechanical ventilation and have microbiological filters, which can possibly reduce contamination, increasing the safety of related procedures. It is unknown, however, if the addition of an exchanger affects the measurements obtained. Aim of this study was to verify if the use of an HME interferes in maximal inspiratory and expiratory pressures assessed using the manovacuometer and vital capacity evaluated using the respirometer in healthy adults.
  
  
  METHODS
  A controlled transversal trial was carried out. Twenty healthy young adults were included in the study. Vital capacity by respirometer and, maximal inspiratory pressure (MIP) and maximal expiratory pressure (MEP) were assessed with and without the use of HME.
  
  
  RESULTS
  No significant difference was found between the values pre and post HME use in vital capacity measurements: (3878.8 ± 202.2 mL vs. 3925.5 ± 206.0 mL, p = 0.116) and the respiratory muscle strength measurements: MIP (-99.0 ± 8.9 vs -95.5 ± 9.0 cm H2O, p = 0.149) and MEP (92.5 ± 7.5 vs 92.5 ± 7.7 cm H2O, p = 1.0) respectively.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  We conclude that the use of HME does not modify the lung volumes or respiratory muscle strength, and can be used in order to reduce the occurrence of pulmonary infection.
authors.affiliation: Department of Physiotherapy, Centro Universitário São Camilo, Avenida Nazaré, 1501, Ipiranga, 04263-200 Sao Paulo, SP Brazil.
authors.forename: Jeanette Janaina Jaber
authors.initials: JJ
authors.lastname: Lucato
authors.affiliation: Department of Physiotherapy, Centro Universitário São Camilo, Avenida Nazaré, 1501, Ipiranga, 04263-200 Sao Paulo, SP Brazil.
authors.forename: Thiago Marraccini
authors.initials: TM
authors.lastname: Nogueira da Cunha
authors.affiliation: Department of Physiotherapy, Centro Universitário São Camilo, Avenida Nazaré, 1501, Ipiranga, 04263-200 Sao Paulo, SP Brazil.
authors.forename: Sara Solange Oliveira Costa
authors.initials: SS
authors.lastname: Rocha
authors.affiliation: Department of Physiotherapy, Centro Universitário São Camilo, Avenida Nazaré, 1501, Ipiranga, 04263-200 Sao Paulo, SP Brazil.
authors.forename: Fernanda Maria
authors.initials: FM
authors.lastname: Palmieri de Carvalho
authors.affiliation: Department of Physiotherapy, Centro Universitário São Camilo, Avenida Nazaré, 1501, Ipiranga, 04263-200 Sao Paulo, SP Brazil.
authors.forename: Daniele Cristina
authors.initials: DC
authors.lastname: Botega
authors.affiliation: Physiotherapist, São Paulo, SP Brazil.
authors.forename: Jamili Anbar
authors.initials: JA
authors.lastname: Torquato
authors.affiliation: Department of Physiotherapy, Centro Universitário São Camilo, Avenida Nazaré, 1501, Ipiranga, 04263-200 Sao Paulo, SP Brazil.
authors.forename: Ana Cristina
authors.initials: AC
authors.lastname: Gimenes
authors.affiliation: Department of Rehabilitation, Hospital Sírio Libanês, São Paulo, SP Brazil.
authors.forename: Renato Fraga
authors.initials: RF
authors.lastname: Righetti
keywords: Heat and moisture exchanger; Manovacuometer; Maximum expiratory pressure; Maximum inspiratory pressure; Respirometer