RT Journal
A1 DEMERS B, MIKE RW
T1 RIsks of placing one-way valves in ventilator circuits
JF American Journal of Diseases of Children
JO American Journal of Diseases of Children
YR 1989
FD April 1
VO 143
IS 4
SP 444
OP 444
DO 10.1001/archpedi.1989.02150160066012
UL http://dx.doi.org/10.1001/archpedi.1989.02150160066012
AB Sir.—The article by Outwater et al1 in the May 1988 issue of AJDC was noted with great interest. This excellent report outlines the methods and techniques developed at Boston's Floating Hospital for delivering ribavirin (Virazole) during ventilation with the Healthdyne 102 ventilator (Healthdyne Inc, Marietta, Ga). Demers et al2 described alternative circuitry for use with pressure- and volume-preset ventilators.Several differences between the circuitry employed by Outwater et al and the systems described by Demers and coworkers can be observed. Of particular significance is the presence of a one-way valve interposed between the ventilator and the junction of the ventilator's inspiratory tubing, and the outflow tube of the small-particle aerosol generator (SPAG) (Viratek, ICN Pharmaceuticals, Costa Mesa, Calif) in the configuration developed by Outwater and colleagues.The purpose of the one-way valve at that position is to prevent retrograde flow from the small-particle aerosol generator to the