Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jul 19, 2026

Non-Intubated Video-Assisted Thoracoscopic Surgery
Published on: May 26, 2023
Intrapulmonary percussive ventilation in tracheostomized patients: a randomized controlled trial
Enrico M Clini1, Francesca Degli Antoni, Michele Vitacca
1Department of Pulmonary Rehabilitation, University of Modena, and Ospedale Villa Pineta, Via Gaiato 127, Pavullo, Italy. clini.enrico@unimore.it
Objective:
To investigate whether the addition of intrapulmonary percussive ventilation to the usual chest physiotherapy improves gas exchange and lung mechanics in tracheostomized patients.
Design And Setting:
Randomized multicenter trial in two weaning centers in northern Italy.
Patients And Participants:
46 tracheostomized patients (age 70 +/- 7 years, 28 men, arterial blood pH 7.436 +/- 0.06, PaO(2)/FIO(2) 238 +/- 46) weaned from mechanical ventilation.
Interventions:
Patients were assigned to two treatment groups performing chest physiotherapy (control), or percussive ventilation (IMP2 Breas, Sweden) 10 min twice/day in addition to chest physiotherapy (intervention).
Measurements And Results:
Arterial blood gases, PaO(2)/FIO(2) ratio, and maximal expiratory pressure were assessed every 5th day for 15 day. Treatment complications that showed up in 1 month of follow-up were recorded. At 15 days the intervention group had a significantly better PaO(2)/FIO(2) ratio and higher maximal expiratory pressure; after follow-up this group also had a lower incidence of pneumonia.
Conclusions:
The addition of percussive ventilation to the usual chest physiotherapy regimen in tracheostomized patients improves gas exchange and expiratory muscle performance and reduces the incidence of pneumonia.
Related Concept Videos
Physical Assessment of the Respiratory Tract III: Percussion
Percussion in Respiratory Assessment
Percussion evaluates underlying tissue composition with audible and tactile vibrations,...
Mechanical Ventilation II: Invasive Ventilation
Negative-Pressure Ventilators
Negative-pressure ventilators create a vacuum around the chest or body to draw air into the lungs, simulating breathing. This method does not require an...
Mechanical Ventilation III: Noninvasive Ventilation
Noninvasive Positive-Pressure Ventilation (NIPPV)
Oxygen Delivering System II: Venturi Mask and Transtracheal Oxygen
Venturi Mask
The Venturi mask, named after the Venturi effect, is designed to deliver precise oxygen concentrations. It consists of a large tube with an oxygen inlet that narrows down, causing a pressure drop that pulls air in through adjustable side ports. The mask is a lightweight,...
Chest Physiotherapy
Purpose
CPT is primarily used for patients with excessive bronchial secretions who have difficulty clearing...
Tracheostomy Suctioning II: Procedure