Clinical characterization of respiratory large droplet production during common airway procedures using high-speed imaging

Müller SK, Veltrup R, Jakubaß B, Kniesburges S, Hübner M, Kempfle JS, Dittrich S, Iro H, Döllinger M (2021)

Publication Type: Journal article

Publication year: 2021

Journal

Scientific Reports Nature Publishing Group: Open Access Journals - Option B

Book Volume: 11

Article Number: 10627

Journal Issue: 1

DOI: 10.1038/s41598-021-89760-w

Abstract

During the COVID-19 pandemic, a significant number of healthcare workers have been infected with SARS-CoV-2. However, there remains little knowledge regarding large droplet dissemination during airway management procedures in real life settings. 12 different airway management procedures were investigated during routine clinical care. A high-speed video camera (1000 frames/second) was for imaging. Quantitative droplet characteristics as size, distance traveled, and velocity were computed. Droplets were detected in 8/12 procedures. The droplet trajectories could be divided into two distinctive patterns (type 1/2). Type 1 represented a ballistic trajectory with higher speed large droplets whereas type 2 represented a random trajectory of slower particles that persisted longer in air. The use of tracheal cannula filters reduced the amount of droplets. Respiratory droplet patterns generated during airway management procedures follow two distinctive trajectories based on the influence of aerodynamic forces. Speaking and coughing produce more droplets than non-invasive ventilation therapy confirming these behaviors as exposure risks. Even large droplets may exhibit patterns resembling the fluid dynamics smaller airborne aerosols that follow the airflow convectively and may place the healthcare provider at risk.

Authors with CRIS profile

Sarina Müller-Hübner Department of Otorhinolaryngology – Head and Neck Surgery (HNO-Klinik) Reinhard Veltrup Professur für Computational Medicine (DFG-Forschungsprofessur) Bernhard Jakubaß Department of Otorhinolaryngology – Head and Neck Surgery (HNO-Klinik) Stefan Kniesburges Matthias Hübner Department of Paediatric Cardiology Sven Dittrich Professur für Kinderkardiologie Heinrich Iro Lehrstuhl für Hals-, Nasen- und Ohrenheilkunde Michael Döllinger Professur für Computational Medicine (DFG-Forschungsprofessur)

Involved external institutions

Veterans Affairs Healthcare System Boston and Harvard Medical School US United States (USA) (US)

How to cite

APA:

Müller, S.K., Veltrup, R., Jakubaß, B., Kniesburges, S., Hübner, M., Kempfle, J.S.,... Döllinger, M. (2021). Clinical characterization of respiratory large droplet production during common airway procedures using high-speed imaging. Scientific Reports, 11(1). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-021-89760-w

MLA:

Müller, Sarina Katrin, et al. "Clinical characterization of respiratory large droplet production during common airway procedures using high-speed imaging." Scientific Reports 11.1 (2021).

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