Effect of level of lung injury on HR, MAP and SaO2 changes during suctioning

25 patients with documented lung injury were suctioned using a manual resuscitation bag (MRB) and a standardised procedure. Level of lung injury was not significantly correlated with changes from baseline in heart rate (HR) oxygen saturation (SaO2) or mean arterial pressure (MAP). However, HR and MAP increased significantly returning to baseline at 5 min. Patients' SaO2 did not change significantly during the procedure or up to 15 min afterwards. No changes in cardiac rhythm were found during the event or for 15 min afterwards. Standards for hyperoxygenation and hyperinflation could not be achieved using the MRB even with a standardised procedure.