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NCT Number: NCT07420673

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

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.

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Key information

Conditions

Mechanical Ventilator Care

Age range

18 year and older

Sex eligibility

All sexes

Study type

Observational

Primary location

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

Québec, Quebec, G1V4G5, Canada

About this study

Previous clinical studies suggest that real expiratory humidity in intubated patients is close to 35 mg H₂O/L, with expiratory temperatures around 32-33 °C or slightly lower. However, data are limited, heterogeneous, and often derived from anesthetized patients. Therefore, accurate measurement of expiratory temperature in intensive care patients under normothermia and across varying body temperatures is necessary to define realistic simulation standards and ensure reliable heat and moisture exchanger performance evaluation on a bench. A relationship between expiratory gases temperature and expiratory humidity exist.

Who can participate

Healthy volunteers accepted: No

Only the study team can determine whether someone qualifies for participation.

Inclusion criteria

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

Exclusion criteria

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

Treatment and study plan

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.

Primary outcomes

  1. Expiratory gas temperature

    Time frame: H0, up to 60 minutes after inclusion

    Measure expiratory gas temperature immediately before the passive humidifier

  2. Relationship between body temperature and expiratory temperature.

    Time frame: H0, up to 60 minutes after inclusion

    Evaluate the relationship between body temperature and expiratory temperature

Secondary outcomes

  1. Estimate expiratory absolute humidity based on measured temperature

    Time frame: H0, up to 60 minutes after inclusion

Study contacts

Contact information is provided by the study sponsor or research team.

Francois Lellouche, MD, PhD

CONTACT

[email protected]

1 418-656-8711 ext. 3572

Sponsors and collaborators

Lead sponsor

Laval University

Other

Registry information

Important dates

Study start
2026
Primary completion
2026
Study completion
2027
First posted
Feb 19, 2026
Registry last updated
Feb 19, 2026

OpenTrials presents study information sourced from ClinicalTrials.gov. The official registry record should be consulted for the latest information.

View the official ClinicalTrials.gov record (opens in a new tab)

This listing is for discovery and informational purposes only. It is not medical advice, does not guarantee that a study is recruiting, and does not determine eligibility. Contact the study team and a qualified healthcare professional when considering participation.

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