ObjectiveTo explore the preventive role of maintaining constant pressure of the endotracheal catheter cuff on ventilator-associated pneumonia (VAP). MethodsFrom January to December 2015, 96 patients of type Ⅱ respiratory failure were selected as the trial group who underwent intubation and mechanical ventilation more than 48 hours in the Intensive Care Unit (ICU). We used pressure gauges to measure the endotracheal catheter cuff pressure regularly and maintained a constant pressure in addition to the application of artificial airway cluster management. We recorded the initial pressure value which was estimated by pinching with finger and set initial pressure to 30 cm H2O (1 cm H2O=0.098 kPa). We measured endotracheal catheter cuff pressure and recorded it during different intervals. We reviewed 88 patients with the same disease as the control group who only accepted artificial airway cluster management between January and December 2014. Mechanical ventilation time, VAP occurrence time, ICU admission time, the incidence of VAP were recorded and analyzed for both the two groups of patients. ResultsIn the trial group, the initial pressure of endotracheal catheter cuff which was estimated by pinching with finger showed that only 11.46% of pressure was between 25 and 30 cm H2O and 82.29% of the pressure was higher than 30 cm H2O. We collected endotracheal catheter cuff pressure values during different interval time by using pressure gauges to maintain a constant management. The ratio at the pressure between 25 and 30 cm H2O was respectively 41.32%, 43.75%, 64.20%, 76.54%, 91.13%, and 91.85%. ICU admission time, mechanical ventilation time in patients of the trial group decreased more, compared with the control group, and the differences were statistically significant (t=4.171, P<0.001; t=4.061, P<0.001). The VAP occurrence time in patients of the trial group was later than the control group (t=2.247, P<0.001). ConclusionThe endotracheal catheter cuff pressure estimated by pinching with finger has errors. We recommend using pressure gauges to detect pressure every four hours, which utilizes minimal time to maintain effective pressure. The method of artificial airway of cluster management combined with the pattern of maintaining constant endotracheal catheter cuff pressure can shorten ICU admission time, mechanical ventilation time and delay the occurrence of VAP.