• Prevent major pulmonary aspirations
• Decrease the risk of inadvertent tracheal extubation
• Provide a patent airway for ventilation and removal of secretions
The most desirable cuff provides a maximum airway seal with minimal tracheal wall pressure.
A high volume – low pressure cuff allows a large surface area to come into contact with the tracheal wall. Therefore, the pressure is distributed over a greater area.
The amount of pressure and volume necessary to obtain a seal and prevent mucosal damage depends on the tube size, design, cuff configuration, mode of ventilation and patients' arterial blood pressure.
A sphygmomanometer is a device used by respiratory therapy to evaluate the amount of cuff pressure.
Routine cuff deflation is unnecessary but may be indicated to:
• Evaluate cuff leak
• Clear upper airway secretions
• Allow the patient to vocalize
• After intubation, CPR or Surgery to evaluate air in cuff
