Heated humidification versus heat and moisture exchangers for ventilated adults and children

Background Humidification by artificial means must be provided when the upper airway is bypassed during mechanical ventilation. Heated humidification (HH) and heat and moisture exchangers (HME) are the most commonly used types of artificial humidification in this situation. Objectives To determinewhetherHHs orHMEs aremore effective in preventingmortality and other complications in peoplewho aremechanically ventilated