Indicative Factors for 48 or More Hours of Mechanical Ventilation to Optimize the Use of Orotracheal Tubes with Supra-cuff Suction Devices: a Retrospective Study

The objective of this study is to verify the risk factors for invasive mechanical ventilation (IMV) for ≥48h, aiming at the best indication of orotracheal tubes (OTTs) with supra-cuff suction devices. This retrospective and observational study was carried out at the Adult Intensive Care Unit of the University Hospital during a 2-year period. Patients undergoing orotracheal intubation were enrolled. Demographic and clinical data were collected from medical records. A total of 1185 medical records were analyzed, of which 820 were included in the study. The markers associated with intubation for ≥48h were as follows: positive history of diseases (RR=1.42; 95%CI=1.17 to 1.74), especially alcohol addiction (RR=1.60; 95%CI=1.22 to 2.09) or former alcohol addiction (RR=1.50; 95%CI=1.06 to 2.13); clinical hospitalization (RR=1.06; 95%CI=0.98 to 1.16); emergency intubation (RR=3.24; 95%CI=3.01 to 3.95); intubation performed in the emergency department (RR=3.44; 95%CI=3.01 to 3.95) and other hospital facilities (RR=2.92; 95%CI=2.49 to 3.42); and intubation due to lowered level of consciousness (RR=3.40; 95%CI=2.95 to 3.93), acute respiratory failure (RR=3.43; 95%CI=2.98 to 3.54), and airway protection (RR=2.87; 95%CI=2.32 to 3.54). Patients on IMV for ≥48h had an RR of 2.07 (95%CI=1.79 to 2.40) for death. Patients with history of diseases, especially past or current history of alcoholism with clinical hospitalization, who underwent emergency intubation in the emergency department or in other hospital facilities due to lowered level of consciousness, acute respiratory failure, or protect airways, are most likely to require IMV for ≥48h. Also, patients on IMV for ≥48h had an high RR for death.