Fatal endotracheal tube obstruction due to the ball valve effect.

In patients suffering from pulmonary haemorrhage, or in patients who recently received a tracheostomy, acute occlusion of the endotracheal tube due to a blood clot is a rare, but well-known complication. Acute and complete occlusion of the tube is easily recognisable. There are various methods of removing the obstructive clot, such as using a bronchoscope with forceps, topical thrombolysis, saline lavage and suctioning.