Heart & lung : the journal of critical care
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The effects of hyperinflation and increasing the FIO2 to 1.0 on PaO2 after endotracheal suctioning were examined in 28 patients after cardiac surgery. The changes in PaO2 immediately after and at 5- and 10-minutes after suctioning were compared with control values. Hyperinflation at the patient's baseline FIO2 produced a mean decrease in PaO2 of 18 mm Hg immediately after suctioning in over 75% of the sample. ⋯ The hypotension was transient, with arterial blood pressure immediately returning to baseline values on termination of the experimental hyperinflation. In conclusion, 100% oxygen administered by hyperinflation for 1 minute before and after endotracheal suctioning protects patients after cardiac surgery from a fall in PaO2. Because hyperinflation can cause alterations in arterial blood pressure and heart rate, these vital signs should be visually monitored during the endotracheal suctioning procedure.