Originally published on May 6, 2010 A respiratory therapy student asks, "What am I supposed to use to inflate the cuff of a Bivona TTS trach? I've heard they should be inflated with water, but I've also heard saline. Which is it...and why?" Answer: The Bivona TTS and the Arcadia CTS tubes are both made

Originally published on May 21, 2011 Respiratory therapist, S.S., asks, "If the patient has been weaned from the ventilator, should the cuff be inflated or deflated? Answer: The inflated cuff provides a seal of the airway in order to effectively ventilate and oxygenate the patient.  When the patient no longer requires the ventilator, it is usually best to deflate

Originally published on June 4, 2011 R.B. asks, "When a patient is on the ventilator, what causes a leak in the cuff?" Answer: There are many causes to a cuff leak. First, to clarify, it is rare that a leak within the cuff actually happens. What happens most often is a leak around the cuff.  This leak

R.B. asks, "When a patient is on the ventilator, what causes a leak in the cuff?" Answer: There are many causes to a cuff leak. First, to clarify, it is rare that a leak within the cuff actually happens. What happens most often is a leak around the cuff.  This leak around the cuff is usually caused