Airway obstruction in heat & moisture exchanger filter: A case report

ABSTRACT

Heat and moisture exchanger filters (HMEF), used for humidification of patient respiratory gas and filtering microorganisms can cause airway obstruction. We experienced serious airway obstruction in a HMEF after making hydrothorax for high intensity focused ultrasound (HIFU) procedure. The airway obstruction was difficult to differentiate from severe bronchospasm irresponsive to bronchodilator therapy. It was relieved dramatically after we removed the filter from the breathing circuit as soon as we detected air-fluid meniscus in it.