Endotracheal tube cuff pressures in intensive care – time for renewed attention

U Lalla

doi:10.7196/AJTCCM.2026.v32i1.4993

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Published: 2026-03-31

DOI: https://doi.org/10.7196/AJTCCM.2026.v32i1.4993

U Lalla

Division of Pulmonology, Department of Medicine, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Stellenbosch University and Tygerberg Hospital, Cape Town, South Africa

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AJTCCM Vol. 32 No. 1

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How to Cite

Lalla U. Endotracheal tube cuff pressures in intensive care – time for renewed attention. Afr J Thoracic Crit Care Med [Internet]. 2026 Mar. 31 [cited 2026 Apr. 18];32(1):e4993. Available from: https://samajournals.co.za/index.php/ajtccm/article/view/4993

References

1. Sultan P, Carvalho B, Rose BO, Cregg R. Endotracheal tube cuff pressure monitoring: A review of the evidence. J Perioper Pract 2011;21(11):379-386. https://doi. org/10.1177/175045891102101103

2. Meyer M, Steyl C, Nkosi BN, Makhubela NL. Management of endotracheal tube cuff pressures in the intensive care unit at a tertiary hospital: A review of the adequacy of current practices. South Afr J Anaesth Analg 2025;31(4):121-125. https://doi. org/10.36303/SAJAA.3237

3. Cretikos N, Witt J, Smith O, Mer M. A comparative audit of endotracheal tube cuff pressures across three intensive care units at a tertiary South African academic hospital. Afr J Thorac Crit Care Med 2026;32(1):3434. https://doi.org/10.7196/ AJTCCM.2026.v32i1.3434

4. Nseir S, Brisson H, Marquette CH, et al. Variations in endotracheal cuff pressure in intubated critically ill patients: Prevalence and risk factors. Eur J Anaesthesiol 2009;26(3):229-234. https://doi.org/10.1097/EJA.0b013e3283222b6e

5. Çakir SK, Soyer O, Yilmaz E. Improving the endotracheal tube cuff pressure control management knowledge of medical and surgical intensive care nurses: A quasi- experimental study pre-post test. Crit Care Nurs Q 2025;48(3):281-291. https://doi. org/10.1097/CNQ.0000000000000562

6. Seegobin RD, van Hasselt GL. Endotracheal cuff pressure and tracheal mucosal blood flow: Endoscopic study of effects of four large volume cuffs. Br Med J (Clin Res Ed) 1984;288(6422):965-968. https://doi.org/10.1136/bmj.288.6422.965

7. Kumar AK. Endotracheal cuff-pressure monitoring in ICU: A standard of care yet to be standardized, and often neglected. Indian J Crit Care Med 2024;28(1):8-10. https://doi.org/10.5005/jp-journals-10071-24624

8. Memela ME, Gopalan PD. Variations in endotracheal tube cuff pressure: Is 8-hourly monitoring enough? South Afr J Crit Care 2014;30(2):35-40. https://doi. org/10.7196/SAJCC.159

9. Maertens B, Lin F, Chen Y, Rello J, Lathyris D, Blot S. Effectiveness of continuous cuff pressure control in preventing ventilator-associated pneumonia: A systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials. Crit Care Med 2022;50(10):1430-1439. https://doi.org/10.1097/CCM.0000000000005630

10. Sole ML, Su X, Talbert S, et al. Evaluation of an intervention to maintain endotracheal tube cuff pressure within therapeutic range. Am J Crit Care 2011;20(2):109-118. https://doi.org/10.4037/ajcc2011661

11. Budak Ertürk E, Çevik B, Kiliç G, Çelikateş N, Fulser B. The effect of perceptions of evidence-based practice on endotracheal cuff pressure management in critical care nurses: A correlational cross-sectional multicentre study. J Clin Nurs 2025;34(9):3642-3649. https://doi.org/10.1111/jocn.17519

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Editorial board

Editor-in-chief

Prof K Dheda, MB BCh (Wits), FCP(SA), FCCP, PhD (Lond), FRCP (Lond). Head Department the Division of Pulmonology, Department of Medicine, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa; Professor of Mycobacteriology and Global Health, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, United Kingdom; Director, Centre for Lung Infection and Immunity, University of Cape Town Lung Institute, South Africa.

Deputy Editor

Prof C Koegelenberg, MB ChB, MMed (Int), FCP (SA), MRCP (UK), Cert Pulm (SA), PhD. Senior Specialist: Pulmonology & General Medicine, University of Stellenbosch & Tygerberg Academic Hospital, South Africa.

Section Editor: Breath-taking News

Prof E M Irusen, MB ChB, FCP(SA), PhD. Head: Division of Pulmonology Department of Medicine Faculty of Health Sciences University of Stellenbosch & Tygerberg Academic Hospital, South Africa.

President SA Thoracic Society

Prof. R Masekela, MB BCh, MMed (Paeds)Pret, Dipl Allerg (SA), PhD, FCCP. Adjunct Professor, Department of Paediatrics and Child Health, Nelson R Mandela School of Medicine, South Africa.
Expertise: Paediatrics, asthma, chronic lung disease, epidemiology

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