The effect of repeated endotracheal suctioning on arterial blood pressure.

The purpose of this study was to examine the effects of three lung hyperinflation/suction sequences on mean arterial pressure (MAP). The results indicate both lung hyperinflation (LHS) and suction sequences (SS) significantly increased MAP (p = .05) from baseline. There was a mean increase in MAP of 13.72 mm Hg over the three lung hyperinflation/suction sequences. The results showed a significant increase in MAP from baseline between SS1 to LHS2 (3.62 mm Hg), from LHS2 to SS2 (4.36 mm Hg), and from LHS3 to SS3 (2.84 mm Hg) at p = .05. The increase in MAP was cumulative with each successive lung hyperinflation/suction sequence. Consequently, the number of repeated lung hyperinflation/suction episodes should be limited to only those necessary to maintain airway patency.