Measurement of Expiratory Gas Temperature in Intubated Patients to Estimate Expiratory Absolute Humidity

NCT07420673 | Not Yet Recruiting

• 1 other identifier: 2026-4543
• Study Type: observational
• Target: 70
• Locations: 1 country
• Sites: 1

Brief Summary

Adequate humidification is essential for intubated patients because dry medical gases can cause thick secretions and dangerous endotracheal tube blockages. A clear correlation exists between exhaled and inhaled humidity delivered by heat and moisture exchanger. The objective of this study is to measure the temperature of exhaled gases in intubated patients in order to accurately calculate the absolute humidity during the expiratory phase. These data will allow for a more accurate reproduction of real clinical conditions during bench testing and will improve the assessment of heat and moisture exchanger performance device evaluation.

Conditions

Mechanical Ventilator Care

Keywords

humidification; Passive humidification

Outcome Measures

Primary Outcomes (2)

• Expiratory gas temperature

  Measure expiratory gas temperature immediately before the passive humidifier

  H0, up to 60 minutes after inclusion

• Relationship between body temperature and expiratory temperature.

  Evaluate the relationship between body temperature and expiratory temperature

  H0, up to 60 minutes after inclusion

Secondary Outcomes (1)

• Estimate expiratory absolute humidity based on measured temperature

  H0, up to 60 minutes after inclusion

Study Arms (3)

Normothermic patient

Normothermic patient under mechanical ventilation with passive humification (heat and moisture exchanger) with body temperature between 36.0 and 38.0 Celsius degrees

Other: Expiratory gases temperature

Hypothermic patient

Hypothermic patient under mechanical ventilation with passive humification (heat and moisture exchanger) with body temperature \< 36.0 Celsius degrees

Other: Expiratory gases temperature

Hyperthermic patient

Hyperthermic patient under mechanical ventilation with passive humification (heat and moisture exchanger) with body temperature \> 38.0 Celsius degrees

Other: Expiratory gases temperature

Interventions

Expiratory gases temperature OTHER

Measure expiratory gas temperature immediately before the passive humidifier in intubated ICU patients and evaluate the relationship between body temperature and expiratory temperature.

Hyperthermic patient; Hypothermic patient; Normothermic patient

Eligibility Criteria

• Age: 18 Years+
• Sex: all
• Healthy Volunteers: No
• Age Groups: Adult (18-64), Older Adult (65+)
• Sampling Method: Non-Probability Sample

Study Population

Intubated patient using a heater and moist exchanger

You may qualify if:

• Adults (≥18 years)
• Intubated and mechanically ventilated in the intensive care unite
• Using passive humidification (Heat and Moisture exchanger)

You may not qualify if:

• PEEP set \< 12 cmH₂O
• Inhaled nitric oxide therapy
• Tracheostomy

Sponsors & Collaborators

• Laval University: lead

Study Sites (1)

Insitut universitaire de cardiologie et de pneumologie de Quebec - Universite Laval

Québec, Quebec, G1V4G5, Canada

Location

Central Study Contacts

Francois Lellouche, MD, PhD

CONTACT

1 418-656-8711; francois.lellouche@criucpq.ulaval.ca

Study Design

• Study Type: observational
• Observational Model: COHORT
• Time Perspective: PROSPECTIVE
• Sponsor Type: OTHER
• Responsible Party: PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR
• PI Title: Principal Investigator

Study Record Dates

• First Submitted: February 12, 2026
• First Posted: February 19, 2026
• Study Start: April 1, 2026
• Primary Completion (Estimated): December 1, 2026
• Study Completion (Estimated): June 1, 2027
• Last Updated: February 19, 2026

Record last verified: 2026-02

Data Sharing

• IPD Sharing: Will not share

Locations

CA (1)