Humidification in intensive care: are we there yet?

It is now more than 60 years since the polio epidemic in Denmark in 1952 that led, at least partly, to the development of artificial ventilation.1 In the report of that epidemic, Lassen stated that “A good humidifier is essential: otherwise incrustation of secretions may occur.” Subsequent to the polio epidemic, a heated humidifier was described by Marshall and Spalding in 1953,2 and Drägerwerk AG & Co filed a patent for a heat-and-moisture exchanger (HME) in 1954.3 It is sobering to reflect now that even after 60 y, 2 topics, (1) what makes a good humidifier and (2) which of the 2 types of device, heated humidifier or HME, is better for the patient, are still being debated. To add to the debate, there is the more recent