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PubMed1994

Life-threatening hypotension associated with emergency intubation and the initiation of mechanical ventilation.

To determine the incidence of life-threatening hypotension (LTH) suffered by patients in the initial hours after emergency intubation and mechanical ventilation, prospective, consecutive case series of patients undergoing endotracheal intubation and mechanical ventilation were evaluated in the adult emergency department of a large urban hospital. Eight-four medical patients who received intubation and mechanical ventilation for ventilatory failure, respiratory failure, or airway protection (trauma patients exluded) were included. LTH, defined as a decrease in mean arterial pressure of 60 mm Hg or an absolute decrease to a systolic blood pressure < 80 mm Hg in the first 2 hours after intubation, was observed in 24 of the 84 patients who met study criteria (incidence 28.6%). Eleven patients (incidence 13.1%) required treatment for LTH with vasopressors. There was one cardiac arrest, and there were no deaths. There was a statistically significant association between LTH and hypercarbic (PCO2 > 50 mm) chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) (P = .004). There was also a weaker statistical association between LTH and hypoxemic respiratory failure (P = .019). No association could be established between LTH and the other diagnoses, arterial blood gas (ABG) derangements, or the administration of sedatives or paralytic medications. LTH represents a serious complication of emergency intubation in the initial phase of mechanical ventilation. Because it occurs in more one quarter of all cases, it should be anticipated during intubation and the initial phase of ventilator management, especially in high-risk patients such as those with hypercarbic COPD.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Blood Gas Analysis↗
PubMedDate not supplied

End-tidal carbon dioxide detection in emergency intubation in four groups of patients.

A prospective clinical trial was conducted at a level I trauma center to assess the efficacy of end-tidal carbon dioxide (CO2) detection in four groups of patients requiring emergency intubation because of cardiac arrest, major trauma, respiratory failure, or the need for airway protection. A semiquantitative, colorimetric FEF end-tidal CO2 detector (Fenem, Inc, New York, NY) was used to evaluate endotracheal versus esophageal intubation. This disposable, bedside detector registers three ranges of CO2 concentration: "A" (purple) indicates low levels and probable esophageal intubation; "B" (beige) indicates moderate levels and probable tracheal intubation with hypocarbia; "C" (yellow) indicates high levels and tracheal intubation. Clinical observation, patient response, chest x-ray films, and arterial blood gas results were used to corroborate placement of the endotracheal tube. The FEF detector was found to be 100% reliable for confirming tracheal placement when registering levels in the B and C ranges and 100% reliable for detecting esophageal intubation when registering levels in the A range. In conclusion, the FEF CO2 detector is a reliable and useful adjunct for airway management of diverse groups of patients in the emergency setting.

Adult↗
PubMedDate not supplied

End-tidal carbon dioxide monitoring during awake blind nasotracheal intubation.

STUDY OBJECTIVE: To test the usefulness of the end-tidal carbon dioxide monitor in facilitating awake blind nasotracheal intubation in patients with potentially difficult airways. DESIGN: Randomized, controlled comparison of regimen. SETTING: Inpatient surgery clinic at a university hospital. PATIENTS: Sixty-one consecutive patients with potentially difficult airways. INTERVENTIONS: After airway anesthesia with 4% lidocaine was administered to all patients, either fentanyl and diazepam (n = 30) or fentanyl alone (n = 31) was given intravenously before the awake blind nasotracheal intubation procedure. MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS: End-tidal carbon dioxide concentration, arterial blood pressure, heart rate, and arterial oxygen saturation (by pulse oximeter) were measured in each patient during the awake blind nasotracheal intubation procedure. The day after anesthesia and surgery, each patient was asked to assess the degree of discomfort experienced during the procedure. In 54 of 61 patients, the end-tidal carbon dioxide monitor facilitated awake blind nasotracheal intubation. End-tidal carbon dioxide was significantly higher in patients given both fentanyl and diazepam than in those given fentanyl alone (7.4% +/- 1.4% vs 5.9% +/- 0.9%, respectively; p less than 0.05), but no patient in either group recalled the awake intubation as extremely uncomfortable. CONCLUSIONS: Monitoring of end-tidal carbon dioxide is useful and valuable in both facilitating blind nasotracheal intubation and avoiding profound hypoventilation.

Anesthesia, Intravenous↗
PubMedDate not supplied

A comparison of cocaine, lidocaine with epinephrine, and oxymetazoline for prevention of epistaxis on nasotracheal intubation.

The alpha-adrenergic agonist oxymetazoline was compared to cocaine and to lidocaine with epinephrine with respect to prevention of epistaxis on nasotracheal intubation. The nares of three groups of 14 patients each were topically pretreated with 4% lidocaine with 1:100,000 epinephrine (group 1), 10% cocaine (group 2), or 0.05% oxymetazoline (group 3) prior to nasotracheal intubation. After intubation, epistaxis was estimated on a scale of 0 to 3, with 0 indicating no bleeding, 1 representing blood on the nasotracheal tube only, 2 indicating blood pooling in the pharynx, and 3 representing blood in the pharynx sufficient to impede intubation. Only 29% of the patients in group 1 displayed no bleeding, whereas 57% of those in group 2 and 86% of those in group 3 had no bleeding. Nonparametric analysis showed a statistically significant difference (p less than 0.013) between oxymetazoline and lidocaine with epinephrine. In addition, heart rate (HR) and blood pressure (BP) were examined prior to administration of the medications; at 5 minutes, 10 minutes, and 15 minutes after administration of the medications; and after intubation. No significant differences were noted (p greater than 0.05) between the medications except for a slightly higher systolic BP for cocaine than for lidocaine with epinephrine at 15 minutes. The results of this double-blind, randomized trial demonstrate that the alpha-adrenergic agonist oxymetazoline is as effective as cocaine, and more effective than lidocaine with epinephrine, for the prevention of epistaxis associated with nasotracheal intubation.

Administration, Topical↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Simulation technique for difficult intubation: teaching tool or new hazard?

This investigation evaluated the risks of a simulation drill designed to improve the skill of anesthesia personnel in dealing with an unexpected difficult intubation. In a controlled prospective study, 40 patients with normal airways scheduled to undergo noncardiothoracic surgery were randomized into two groups of 20 patients. In the control group, intubation was performed by standard techniques. In the simulation group, intubation of a difficult airway was simulated and performed with the aid of an endotracheal tube introducer. Heart rate (HR); systolic, mean, and diastolic blood pressures (BPs); and arterial oxygen saturation were measured noninvasively during the preinduction period and 1 minute postintubation. A record was kept of all adverse events, including electrocardiogram (EKG) evidence of myocardial ischemia or cardiac arrhythmias, esophageal intubation, pulmonary aspiration, or tracheal injury. There were no significant differences in percent changes in HR, BP, or oxygen saturation between the two groups. There were five uncomplicated esophageal intubations in the simulation group compared with none in the control group (p = 0.001). No other adverse events were recorded. The potential hazards of esophageal intubation should be considered before this simulation drill is performed.

Adult↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Estimating anesthetic depth by electroencephalography during anesthetic induction and intubation in patients undergoing cardiac surgery.

Intravenous (IV) anesthesia titrated to continuous computer-processed electroencephalograms (EEGs) was studied in 32 consecutive patients undergoing cardiac surgery. Anesthesia was induced with fentanyl 50 micrograms/kg with no EEG monitoring (n = 16) or 25 to 50 micrograms depending on changes in EEG (n = 16). EEG, oxygen saturation by pulse oximeter, intra-arterial blood pressure (BP), central venous pressure (CVP), and pulmonary artery pressure (PAP) (n = 18) were monitored continuously. Cardiac output (CO), CVP, PAP, spectral-edge frequency for each hemisphere, and BP were recorded before induction, immediately before intubation, and 1 and 5 minutes after intubation. With EEG monitoring, intubation was performed when spectral-edge frequency decreased to 10 Hz or less. Recall and pain were investigated 2 to 12 weeks postoperatively. With EEG, the amount of fentanyl used before intubation was significantly lower (39.7 +/- 2 micrograms/kg; p less than 0.005) than without EEG (50 micrograms/kg). The decrease in BP (% change) was less with than without EEG; mean changes in BP between preinduction and preintubation were -7.4% +/- 3.8% and -16.5% +/- 3.1% and between preinduction and 1 minute after intubation 0.3% +/- 3.4% and -12.5% +/- 3.5%, respectively. Percent changes in mean BP between intubation and 1 minute after were 9.6% +/- 4.0% with EEG and 5.2% +/- 3.0% without EEG. No patient in either group had recall. The authors conclude that using EEG monitoring to estimate depth of anesthesia during induction and laryngoscopy may increase safety in high-risk patients undergoing cardiac surgery.

Adult↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Attenuation of hemodynamic responses to rapid sequence induction and intubation in healthy patients with a single bolus of esmolol.

The effectiveness of a single preinduction intravenous (IV) bolus of esmolol in blunting hemodynamic responses to rapid sequence induction and tracheal intubation was evaluated. In a randomized double-blind study, 32 ASA I and II healthy patients scheduled for surgery were monitored with electrocardiography (EKG) lead V5, arterial cannulation, and impedance cardiography. After preoxygenation and a priming dose of vecuronium (0.01 mg/kg), patients received either saline (n = 12), esmolol 100 mg (n = 10), or esmolol 200 mg (n = 10) as an IV bolus (20 ml volume). This procedure was immediately followed by a 5 ml IV saline flush, cricoid pressure, thiopental sodium 5 mg/kg, and succinylcholine 1.5 mg/kg. Patients receiving 200 mg of esmolol had a 50% reduction in the usual tachycardia associated with induction and a greater decline in systolic blood pressure (SP) (by 50%) prior to intubation as compared with the placebo group (p less than 0.05). The increase in diastolic blood pressure (DP) and the reduction in stroke volume (SV) produced by induction and intubation were similar in all the groups. Plasma norepinephrine levels at 1.5 minutes after intubation increased in the esmolol groups about 130% above that measured in the placebo group. This finding was associated with a more gradual return of peripheral resistance to baseline following tracheal intubation. However, both doses of esmolol effectively attenuated heart rate (HR), SP, and rate pressure product (RPP) increases (p less than 0.05 vs placebo) produced by laryngoscopy and tracheal intubation.

Adrenergic beta-Antagonists↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Comparison of train-of-four and posttetanic response as guides for endotracheal intubation in children.

STUDY OBJECTIVE: To evaluate and compare the predictive values of the absence of train-of-four (TOF) or posttetanic response as guides for endotracheal intubation in children. DESIGN: Prospective controlled study in children. SETTING: Induction of anesthesia and endotracheal intubation at a university-affiliated hospital. PATIENTS: Thirty pediatric patients age 1 to 10 years, ASA physical status I, who were undergoing elective surgery were divided into two equal groups. INTERVENTIONS: Anesthesia was induced with halothane and maintained at 1% inspired concentration. Fifteen children were stimulated with the TOF (2 Hz for 2 seconds) technique and 15 with the twitch-tetanus-twitch sequence. All the patients received atracurium 0.4 mg/kg. Upon abolishment of the TOF or tetanus-twitch sequence, endotracheal intubation was performed and the conditions for intubation were evaluated. MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS: In the group of patients stimulated by the TOF technique, the neuromuscular response was ablated in 1.7 +/- 0.1 minutes, a significantly shorter time than in those stimulated by the tetanus-twitch sequence (4.0 +/- 0.4 minutes; p less than 0.0001). Conditions for intubation did not differ between the two groups. CONCLUSIONS: Good intubating conditions can generally be counted on when the TOF has disappeared; additional waiting for the disappearance of posttetanic response is unnecessary. The observation that the disappearance of the tetanus-twitch sequence is a good indicator of deep neuromuscular blockade during recovery from atracurium in children cannot be extrapolated to the induction period.

Anesthesia, Inhalation↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Intubating conditions after pipecuronium bromide: the influence of dose and time.

STUDY OBJECTIVE: To determine the intubating conditions following the administration of pipecuronium bromide in doses of two (0.07 mg/kg) or three (0.1 mg/kg) times ED95 (average dose that gives 95% block of the first twitch). DESIGN: To compare intubating conditions at 11/2 and 21/2 minutes in 41 patients receiving balanced anesthesia. SETTING: Surgical patients at Thomas Jefferson University Hospital. PATIENTS: Forty-one patients undergoing surgical procedure who received general anesthesia. INTERVENTIONS: After obtaining a stable baseline of train-of-four (TOF), 41 patients randomly received either 0.07 mg/kg or 0.1 mg/kg of pipecuronium as a single intravenous (IV) bolus dose, and the trachea was intubated either at 11/2 or 21/2 minutes. MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS: Intubating conditions at 21/2 minutes appeared significantly better than those at 11/2 minutes, regardless of the pipecuronium dose. The mean time for T1 (first twitch of TOF) to reach 50% and 90% suppression was 1.36 +/- 0.51 minutes and 2.29 +/- 0.8 minutes, respectively, for the 0.07 mg/kg dose and 1.07 +/- 0.27 minutes and 1.72 +/- 0.45 minutes, respectively, for the 0.1 mg/kg dose. This did not make a significant difference in intubating conditions at either time. The time to 25% recovery of T1 was 68.2 +/- 22 minutes for the 0.07 mg/kg dose and 121.5 +/- 49 minutes for the 0.1 mg/kg dose. In patients who had spontaneous recovery of T1 to between 10% and 25% of control, administration of neostigmine or edrophonium resulted in identical recovery in 10 minutes. However, in patients with less than 10% spontaneous recovery of T1, neostigmine appeared to be superior to edrophonium. CONCLUSION: Pipecuronium has a relatively rapid onset. The trachea could be intubated successfully in 11/2 minutes with a dose of either 0.07 mg/kg or 0.1 mg/kg. If the clinical situation requires perfect relaxation with no movement or bucking, we recommend waiting at least 21/2 minutes.

Adult↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Facilitation of rapid-sequence intubation with large-dose vecuronium with or without priming.

STUDY OBJECTIVES: To determine the effect of priming on the intubation and onset times of vecuronium 0.3 mg/kg. DESIGN: Randomized, unblinded study. SETTING: Operating rooms and postanesthetic recovery unit of a university-affiliated general hospital. PATIENTS: Thirty female ASA physical status I and II patients scheduled for intraperitoneal surgery divided into two groups of 15 each. INTERVENTIONS: Anesthesia was induced and maintained with sufentanil, droperidol, thiopental sodium, and nitrous oxide in oxygen. Patients in Group 1 were given vecuronium 0.015 mg/kg 4 minutes before induction and vecuronium 0.285 mg/kg 1 minute after induction. Patients in Group 2 received a single 0.3 mg/kg dose of vecuronium 1 minute after thiopental sodium. The ulnar nerve was stimulated every 10 seconds with train-of-four supramaximal impulses of 0.2 millisecond duration at 2 Hz. The compound electromyogram (EMG) of the adductor pollicis was continuously recorded. The trachea was intubated when the amplitude of the EMG decreased to 15% to 25% of control. At the end of surgery, residual neuromuscular block was reversed with edrophonium 0.75 mg/kg. MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS: All patients in Group 1 could be intubated in 80 seconds or less, and the longest onset time was 120 seconds. In Group 2, the longest intubation time was 140 seconds, and the longest onset time was 200 seconds. Clinical durations in both groups were unpredictable, ranging from 47 to 185 minutes in Group 1 and from 63 to 160 minutes in Group 2. Ten of the 30 patients required an additional 0.5 mg/kg of edrophonium for antagonism of the residual neuromuscular block. There were no significant changes in heart rate or blood pressure attributable to vecuronium. CONCLUSIONS: Seventy-five percent to 85% neuromuscular block of the adductor pollicis, required for atraumatic tracheal intubation, developed in 80 seconds or less when vecuronium 0.3 mg/kg was administered in divided doses and in 140 seconds or less when it was injected as a single bolus dose. Clinical duration of vecuronium 0.3 mg/kg is long and unpredictable, and reversal of residual neuromuscular block may require larger doses of anticholinesterases. It is recommended that an intubating dose of vecuronium 0.3 mg/kg be used only in patients undergoing long surgical procedures that require prolonged postanesthetic mechanical ventilation.

Adult↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Effects of nilvadipine on the cardiovascular responses to tracheal intubation.

STUDY OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the efficacy of nilvadipine given orally in attenuating the hypertensive response to laryngoscopy and intubation. DESIGN: Controlled, randomized, double-blind study. SETTING: Induction of anesthesia for elective surgery at a university hospital. PATIENTS: Thirty normotensive patients (ASA physical status I) undergoing elective surgery were divided into three groups of ten patients each. INTERVENTIONS: Either 2 mg of nilvadipine, 4 mg of nilvadipine, or a placebo (control) was administered orally 90 minutes before induction of anesthesia. Anesthesia was induced with thiopental sodium 5 mg/kg intravenously, and tracheal intubation was facilitated with vecuronium 0.2 mg/kg. During anesthesia, ventilation was assisted or controlled with 1% enflurane and 50% nitrous oxide (N2O) in oxygen. Laryngoscopy lasting 30 seconds was attempted 2 minutes after administration of thiopental sodium and vecuronium. MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS: Patients receiving the placebo showed a significant increase in mean arterial pressure (MAP) and heart rate associated with tracheal intubation. The increase in MAP following tracheal intubation was significantly lower in nilvadipine-treated patients than in the control group (p less than 0.05). However, neither dose of nilvadipine attenuated the tachycardic response to intubation. CONCLUSIONS: Oral administration of nilvadipine before induction of anesthesia is a simple and practical method for attenuating pressor response to laryngoscopy and tracheal intubation after standard elective induction under additional 1% enflurane-N2O anesthesia.

Administration, Oral↗
PubMed1996

Effects of intravenous lidocaine and/or esmolol on hemodynamic responses to laryngoscopy and intubation: a double-blind, controlled clinical trial.

STUDY OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the efficacy of intravenous lidocaine and two doses of esmolol for attenuating the cardiovascular responses to laryngoscopy and intubation, and to assess whether a combination of both drugs is more effective than either drug alone. DESIGN: Randomized, prospective, double-blind, placebo-controlled study. SETTING: University hospital. PATIENTS: 90 ASA status I and II normotensive women scheduled for elective gynecologic procedures with general anesthesia. INTERVENTIONS: Induction of anesthesia was standardized for all patients. The first group received lidocaine 1.5 mg/kg (Group LID); the second and third groups received esmolol 1 mg/kg and 2 mg/kg, respectively (Groups E1 and E2, respectively); the fourth group received lidocaine 1.5 mg/kg and esmolol 1 mg/kg (Group LID-E1); the fifth group received lidocaine 1.5 mg/kg and esmolol 2 mg/kg (Group LID-E2); the sixth group received saline as a placebo (Group PLAC). MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS: Systolic blood pressure and heart rate (HR) were recorded before induction, before injection of the first test drug, immediately before laryngoscopy, and 1, 2, and 5 minutes following intubation. Duration of laryngoscopy was recorded. Only patients receiving placebo had increased HR values after intubation compared with baseline values (p < 0.05). The proportion of patients with a maximum HR exceeding 90 beats/min was significantly higher in the placebo group (8 of 15 patients) than in both esmolol groups (E1 2 of 15; E2 2 of 15) (p < 0.05). Systolic blood pressure values after tracheal intubation did not differ among groups except for those receiving the combinations of lidocaine and esmolol, and they had significantly lower blood pressure (BP) values compared with placebo (p < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Esmolol 1 to 2 mg/kg is reliably effective in attenuating HR response to tracheal intubation. Neither of the two doses of esmolol tested nor that of lidocaine affected the BP response. Only the combination of lidocaine and esmolol attenuated both HR and BP responses to tracheal intubation.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2005

The effect of Combitube use on paramedic experience in endotracheal intubation.

OBJECTIVE: To determine the change in number of endotracheal intubations per paramedic after the implementation of Combitube use and to explore consequences. METHODS: Before-and-after study; urban/suburban EMS system; population 1 million. Number of patients 16 years and older, type of airway used, attempts, and successes were abstracted for time periods before and after the use of Combitubes. The number of endotracheal intubations/paramedic for each period was calculated. RESULTS: Three-year pre-Combitube: patients 50983; 6.6% arrests; 3142 received an endotracheal intubation attempt with 93.5% success. The average annual number of paramedics was 153 with 6.9 +/- 6.4 intubations per paramedic per year. Three-year post-Combitube: patients 55959; 6.0% arrests; 2913 received an advanced airway attempt: 860 Combitubes, success 89.4%; 2144 endotracheal intubations, success 91.6% (95% confidence interval success rate difference, 0.5-3.3; P = .007). The average annual number of paramedics was 177 with 3.7 +/- 3.3 intubations per paramedic per year. CONCLUSION: After implementation of the Combitube, the number of endotracheal intubation attempts/paramedic and success rates decreased.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2006

Is digital intubation an option for emergency physicians in definitive airway management?

OBJECTIVES: This study was designed to determine whether digital intubation is a valid option for definitive airway control by emergency physicians. METHODS: Digital intubation was performed by 18 emergency medicine residents and 4 staff emergency medicine physicians on 6 different cadavers. Placement was confirmed by direct laryngoscopy. The total time for all attempts used, as well as the number of attempts, was recorded. Each participant attempted intubation on all 6 cadavers. RESULTS: For 5 of the 6 cadavers, successful intubation occurred 90.9% of the time (confidence interval [CI], 85.5%-96.3%) for all participants. The average number of attempts for these 5 cadavers was 1.5 (CI, 1.4-1.7), and the average time required for success or failure was 20.8 seconds (CI, 16.9-24.8). The sixth cadaver developed soft tissue damage and a false passage near the vocal cords resulting in multiple failed attempts. CONCLUSIONS: Although the gold standard for routine endotracheal intubation remains to be direct laryngoscopy, its effectiveness in certain situations may be limited. We believe that digital intubation provides emergency physicians with another option in securing the unprotected airway.

Aged↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Middle ear effusion in intensive care unit patients with prolonged endotracheal intubation.

OBJECTIVES: The purpose of this study is to explore the factors related to the occurrence of middle ear effusion (MEE) in prolonged endotracheal intubation patients in the intensive care unit (ICU). METHODS: Information about the age, sex, duration of endotracheal intubation, level of consciousness, and placement of nasogastric tube was retrospectively collected from medical charts of 20 prolonged endotracheal intubation (>7 days) patients in the ICU. All patients received otoscopic examination, tympanometry studies, and spectral gradient acoustic reflectometry for evidence of MEE. RESULTS: Among the 40 ears examined in this study, 20 ears had MEE (50%), 14 ears were normal (35%), and 6 ears had negative pressure in the middle ear (15%). In addition, patients with conscious disturbance and those who had been intubated for 14 days had a significantly higher incidence of MEE. Nasogastric tube was not implicated in MEE in this study. No episodes of acute otitis media or systemic infection were encountered in this study. CONCLUSIONS: Prolonged endotracheal intubation (>7 days) in adult ICU patients contributed to the high incidence of MEE (50%). Moreover, conscious disturbance and endotracheal intubation for 14 days were also significant contributing factors of MEE.

Acoustic Impedance Tests↗
PubMed2004

The incidence and risk factors for cardiac arrest during emergency tracheal intubation: a justification for incorporating the ASA Guidelines in the remote location.

STUDY OBJECTIVE: To determine the incidence and etiology of cardiopulmonary arrest during emergency intubation in the remote location by comparing two periods (1990-1995 vs. 1995-2002) at the same institution to assess whether immediate access to advanced airway devices and endotracheal tube-verifying devices altered the incidence of hypoxemia-driven cardiac arrest. DESIGN: Retrospective review of a quality improvement (QI) database for emergency intubation outside the operating room (OR). SETTING: 765-bed tertiary care, level 1 trauma center. PATIENTS: 3035 critically ill patients suffering from cardiopulmonary, traumatic, septic, metabolic, or neurological-based deterioration and requiring emergency airway management. MEASUREMENTS: Rate of cardiac arrest, as defined as asystole, bradycardia, or ventricular dysrhythmia with non-measurable blood pressure during or within 5 minutes of intubation, requiring cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR), were measured. MAIN RESULTS: 60 cardiac arrests were documented (2%, or one per 50 cases), 83% of which were associated with profound hypoxemia (oxygen saturation <70%) during the airway procedure. Esophageal intubation was a frequent complication (n = 38; 63%), often leading to hypoxemia (97%) and regurgitation (67%). The overall rate of cardiac arrest was reduced 50% between the two time periods (2.8%: 1990-1995 period and 1.4%: 1995-2002 period). The relative risk estimate for complications in a match cohort contributing to the etiology of cardiac arrest included hypoxemia (4X), regurgitation (28X), aspiration (22X), bradycardia (23X) (all P < 0.003), and esophageal intubation (7X), P < 0.04). A total of 34% patients survived less than 24 hours and 31% survived to be discharged. CONCLUSION: Cardiac arrest during emergency tracheal intubation outside the OR is relatively common compared with the OR environment. Airway-related complications played a prominent role, either singly or in combination with the patient's underlying physiological state. Immediate access to advanced airway devices and endotracheal tube-verifying devices appear to have a significant impact on the incidence of hypoxemia-driven cardiac arrest.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2006

Acquisition of basic fiberoptic intubation skills with a virtual reality airway simulator.

STUDY OBJECTIVE: To test the hypothesis that a virtual reality (VR) airway simulator (the AccuTouch Virtual Reality Bronchsocopy Simulator; Immersion Medical, Gaithersburg, MD) can be used to teach residents basic fiberoptic intubation (FOI) skills effectively. DESIGN: Observational study. SETTING: University anesthesiology department. INTERVENTION: Supervised training was done using a VR airway simulator. MEASUREMENTS: Time to intubation before and after a 4-day training period using an adult VR FOI scenario and time to intubation using a fresh human cadaver two weeks after the training experience were measured. MAIN RESULTS: Residents were able to significantly improve time to intubation in the VR scenario (114 vs 75 seconds; P = 0.001). Novices differed from experienced attending anesthesiologists in time to intubation in the VR scenario, before but not after training (114 vs 79 seconds compared with 75 vs 72 seconds). Novices who had been trained with the simulator performed significantly faster in the cadaver than novices who had not (24 vs 86 seconds; P < 0.001). Furthermore, there was no difference in time to intubation in the cadaver between trained novices and experienced attending anesthesiologists (24 vs 23 seconds; P > 0.05). CONCLUSION: Use of a VR airway simulator enables anesthesia residents to acquire basic FOI skills comparable to those of experienced anesthesiologists in a human cadaver.

Cadaver↗
PubMed2005

Neonatal intubation: success of pediatric trainees.

OBJECTIVES: To review the success of pediatric trainees for neonatal intubation over a 10-year interval at a single academic center. STUDY DESIGN: We reviewed a database of all neonatal intubations designed as a quality assurance process at our institution. Respiratory care practitioners recorded the number of attempts at the time of each procedure. Attempts were defined as each time a laryngoscope was placed in the baby's mouth. Success rates were calculated as the number of successful intubations divided by the attempts. RESULTS: From January 1992 through September 2002, 5051 successful intubations with 9190 attempts were performed by all practitioners. Pediatric residents intubated neonates successfully on 1676 occasions requiring 3719 attempts. The median success rates were 33% for pediatric level (PL)1 residents; 40% for PL2 and PL3 residents, and 68% for neonatal fellows ( P < .001). The success rates for residents who had more than 20 total attempts versus those who had fewer than 20 attempts were 49% versus 37% ( P < .001). CONCLUSIONS: Developing proficiency at intubation requires a significant amount of experience. Current pediatric residents at our institution have inadequate opportunity to achieve consistent success.

California↗