Anesthesia and Pain Medicine  2011;6(1):96-99

Airway obstruction in heat & moisture exchanger filter: A case report.

Mee Young CHUNG 1 ; Weon Joon YANG ; Ji Young LEE

Affiliations

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Keywords

Airway obstruction; Heat and moisture exchangers

Country

Republic of Korea

Language

English

Abstract

Heat and moisture exchanger filters (HMEF), used for humidification of patient respiratory gas and filtering microorganisms can cause airway obstruction. We experienced serious airway obstruction in a HMEF after making hydrothorax for high intensity focused ultrasound (HIFU) procedure. The airway obstruction was difficult to differentiate from severe bronchospasm irresponsive to bronchodilator therapy. It was relieved dramatically after we removed the filter from the breathing circuit as soon as we detected air-fluid meniscus in it.