Prehospital use in emergency patients of a laryngeal mask airway by ambulance paramedics is a safe and effective alternative for endotracheal intubation

Safety, Efficacy, and Ease of Insertion of Gnana Laryngeal Airway (GLA-4): A Prospective Clinical Study Utilizing the Unique Laryngeal Mask Airway With a Suction Tubing

INTRODUCTION

Utilizing laryngeal mask airways to maintain patients' airways is advantageous because it enables the anesthesiologist to keep the patient spontaneously inhaling and is less traumatic to the airway than intubation. Newer designs such as the Gnana laryngeal mask airway design permit real-time suctioning while the mask is on a patient.

METHODS

This is a prospective observational study of the efficacy of Gnana laryngeal airway 4 (GLA-4) in 50 patients undergoing colonoscopy. Induction and maintenance of anesthesia were provided with propofol; GLA-4 was applied to secure the airway; and correct placement was verified.

RESULTS

Fifty patients were included in the study (44% female, 56% male, mean age: 56.5 years, mean BMI: 33.3). Twelve patients were assigned American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA) class 2, and 38 were assigned ASA class 3. The first attempt of GLA-4 insertion was successful in 47 patients, and two attempts were required for the successful placement of the GLA-4 in two patients. The successful placement was not achieved in one patient. The average time to successful insertion was 27.1 ± 3.9s. The average volume of oropharyngeal secretions suctioned through the suction catheter was 9.96 ± 2.31 mL. No intraoperative or postoperative complications occurred in the 50 patients. There were no reports of sore throat, hoarseness, dysphagia, or cough immediately postop.

CONCLUSION

GLA-4 can be inserted safely with adequate periglottic occlusion. This laryngeal mask is unique and desirable due to its ability to evacuate oropharyngeal secretions while in place to prevent laryngospasm. To establish the role of GLA-4 in broader clinical situations, additional clinical trials and studies are required.

The impact of video laryngoscopy on the first-pass success rate of prehospital endotracheal intubation in The Netherlands: a retrospective observational study

Purpose

The first-pass success rate for endotracheal intubation (ETI) depends on provider experience and exposure. We hypothesize that video laryngoscopy (VL) improves first-pass and overall ETI success rates in low and intermediate experienced airway providers and prevents from unrecognized oesophageal intubations in prehospital settings.

Methods

In this study 3632 patients were included. In all cases, an ambulance nurse, HEMS nurse, or HEMS physician performed prehospital ETI using direct Laryngoscopy (DL) or VL.

Results

First-pass ETI success rates for ambulance nurses with DL were 45.5% (391/859) and with VL 64.8% (125/193). For HEMS nurses first-pass success rates were 57.6% (34/59) and 77.2% (125/162) respectively. For HEMS physicians these successes were 85.9% (790/920) and 86.9% (1251/1439). The overall success rate for ambulance nurses with DL was 58.4% (502/859) and 77.2% (149/193) with VL. HEMS nurses successes were 72.9% (43/59) and 87.0% (141/162), respectively. HEMS physician successes were 98.7% (908/920) and 99.0% (1425/1439), respectively. The incidence of unrecognized intubations in the oesophagus before HEMS arrival in traumatic circulatory arrest (TCA) was 30.6% with DL and 37.5% with VL. In medical cardiac arrest cases the incidence was 20% with DL and 0% with VL.

Conclusion

First-pass and overall ETI success rates for ambulance and HEMS nurses are better with VL. The used device does not affect success rates of HEMS physicians. VL resulted in less unrecognized oesophageal intubations in medical cardiac arrests. In TCA cases VL resulted in more oesophageal intubations when performed by ambulance nurses before HEMS arrival.

Use of supraglottic airway devices under capnography monitoring during cardiopulmonary resuscitation: A systematic review

BACKGROUND

Bag-valve-mask ventilation is the most commonly applied method during cardiopulmonary resuscitation. Globally, advanced airway management with blind insertion devices such as supraglottic airway devices has been implemented for years by different emergency services. The efficiency of ventilation via such devices could be measured by capnography.

OBJECTIVE

The objective of this study was to determine whether capnography is useful in patients undergoing cardiopulmonary resuscitation and to assess the effectiveness of ventilation via supraglottic airway devices.

REVIEW METHODS USED

This is a systematic review written following the steps of Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Review and Meta-analyses protocols.

DATA SOURCES

A bibliographic search was carried out from the following databases: EBSCOhost, Scopus, EMBASE, Virtual Health Library, PubMed, Cochrane Library, Spanish Medical Index, Spanish Bibliographic Index in Health Sciences, and Latin American and Caribbean Health Sciences Literature, from inception until September 2019.

REVIEW METHODS

Studies describing the use of capnography with supraglottic airway devices during cardiopulmonary resuscitation manoeuvres were selected and evaluated using the Critical Appraisal Skills Programme.

RESULTS

Twenty-four articles were identified by title and abstract: six were randomised clinical trials, 11 were nonrandomised clinical trials, six were descriptive prospective studies, and one was a descriptive retrospective study. Nine primary research articles were selected for synthesis. Only one provided objective values of capnography obtained with ventilation with these devices, correlating them with the results of resuscitation.

CONCLUSIONS

The evidence published so far is scarce, mostly from observational studies with high risk of bias in general. Although a degree of recommendation cannot be established, some results indicate that capnography has the potential to facilitate advanced clinical practice of ventilation with supraglottic airway devices during cardiopulmonary resuscitation.

PROPOSTA DE PASSOS PARA A SEGURANÇA DO PACIENTE NO ATENDIMENTO PRÉ-HOSPITALAR MÓVEL

RESUMO Objetivo: propor passos para a segurança do paciente a partir da análise dos riscos no atendimento pré-hospitalar móvel sob a ótica dos enfermeiros. Método: estudo quantitativo, e descritivo. Amostra intencional, composta por 23 enfermeiros. Utilizou-se o método de pesquisa fotográfica para identificar os riscos à segurança do paciente em um Serviço de Atendimento Móvel de Urgência de uma cidade do Rio Grande do Norte. A coleta foi realizada de março a junho de 2012 e organizada em cinco etapas: obtenção das fotos de situações de segurança e não segurança; seleção de fotos pela qualidade de imagem; seleção de fotos pelos experts da temática; seleção de dez imagens de modo aleatório; e aplicação do instrumento de análise das fotos pelos profissionais. Foi utilizada a análise de conteúdo e análise descritiva. Resultados: os riscos apontados no estudo foram: dificuldades no acondicionamento de equipamentos e materiais; especificidades do trabalho no atendimento pré-hospitalar móvel; risco de infecção; risco de traumas; e dificuldades na administração de medicamentos. A partir dessas informações e confrontos com a literatura, foram sugeridos dez passos para a segurança do paciente no atendimento pré-hospitalar, voltados às necessidades de redução dos riscos apresentados. Conclusão: a análise de riscos e proposta de intervenções para a segurança do paciente favorecem a qualidade do atendimento em saúde, com benefícios na esfera: paciente, equipe, profissional e ambiente. Sugere-se que sejam desenvolvidas de acordo com as necessidades de cada serviço.

Emergency Neurological Life Support: Airway, Ventilation, and Sedation

Airway management and ventilation are central to the resuscitation of the neurologically ill. These patients often have evolving processes that threaten the airway and adequate ventilation. Furthermore, intubation, ventilation, and sedative choices directly affect brain perfusion. Therefore, Airway, Ventilation, and Sedation was chosen as an Emergency Neurological Life Support protocol. Topics include airway management, when and how to intubate with special attention to hemodynamics and preservation of cerebral blood flow, mechanical ventilation settings and the use of sedative agents based on the patient's neurological status.

Evaluation of Airway Management Proficiency in Pre-Hospital Emergency Setting; a Simulation Study

INTRODUCTION

Infrequency and low exposure to critically ill patients requiring airway management will lead to reduction in the skills and performance of the Emergency Medical Technicians (EMTs) over time. The present study was conducted primarily aiming to evaluate airway management in stationary ambulance simulations and identify the factors affecting Endotracheal Intubation (ETI) success rate.

METHOD

This is a simulation study. The study population comprised of active EMTs in prehospital emergency bases in Hamadan province. The participants were placed at the back of an ambulance to perform the airway management scenario, which had already been prepared. To investigate the factors affecting the success (≤3 attempts) or failure rate of intubation, both unadjusted and adjusted odds ratios (95% confidence intervals) for univariate and multivariate regressions were reported.

RESULTS

184 subjects with the mean age of 33.91+6.25 years and the median work experience of 8 years were studied (54.3% with a history of training in the past year). The median number of previous intubations performed by technicians in the last year was 7 times (IQR 4-9). The total success rate at ventilation, intubation and back-up airway were 50.67%, 53.29%, and 50.0%, respectively. Out of the total 552 attempts for ETI placement, 58.2% of the technicians were able to perform ETI within 3 attempts. Univariate analysis showed that age (OR=1.06, P=0.022), previous number of ETIs (OR=2.49, P<0.001), work experience (OR=1.13, P<0.001), and previous ETI training (OR=1.85, P=0.041) were significantly associated with ETI success rate. After adjustment, previous number of ETIs (OR=2.66, P<0.001) was the most effective factor on ETI success rate.

CONCLUSION

Success rate in airway management, especially ETI, is low. Therefore, improvement in modifiable factors such as increasing the number of ETIs performed and gaining experience in the same conditions as pre-hospital emergency is necessary.

Ease and difficulty of pre-hospital airway management in 425 paediatric patients treated by a helicopter emergency medical service: a retrospective analysis

Background

Pre-hospital paediatric airway management is complex. A variety of pitfalls need prompt response to establish and maintain adequate ventilation and oxygenation. Anatomical disparity render laryngoscopy different compared to the adult. The correct choice of endotracheal tube size and depth of insertion is not trivial and often challenged due to the initially unknown age of child.

Methods

Data from 425 paediatric patients (<17 years of age) with any airway manipulation treated by a Swiss Air-Ambulance crew between June 2010 and December 2013 were retrospectively analysed. Endpoints were: 1) Endotracheal intubation success rate and incidence of difficult airway management in primary missions. 2) Correlation of endotracheal tube size and depth of insertion with patient’s age in all (primary and secondary) missions.

Results

In primary missions, the first laryngoscopy-guided endotracheal intubation attempt was successful in 95.3% of cases, with an overall success rate of 98.6%. Difficult airway management was reported in 10 (4.7%) patients. Endotracheal tube size was frequently chosen inadequately large (overall 50 of 343 patients: 14.6%), especially and statistically significant in the age group below 1 year (19 of 33 patients; p < 0.001). Tubes were frequently and distinctively more deeply inserted (38.9%) than recommended by current formulae.

Conclusion

Difficult airway management, including cannot intubate and cannot ventilate situations during pre-hospital paediatric emergency treatment was rare. In contrast, the success rate of endotracheal intubation at the first attempt was very high. High numbers of inadequate endotracheal tube size and deep placement according to patient age require further analysis. Practical algorithms need to be found to prevent potentially harmful treatment.

Defining the learning curve for endotracheal intubation using direct laryngoscopy: A systematic review

More than two failed intubation attempts and failed endotracheal intubations (ETIs) are associated with severe complications and death. The aim of this review was to determine the number of ETIs a health care provider in training needs to perform to achieve proficiency within two attempts. A systematic search of the literature was conducted covering the time frame of January 1990 through July 2014. We identified 13 studies with a total of 1462 students who had attempted to intubate 19,108 patients. This review shows that in mostly elective circumstances, at least 50 ETIs with no more than two intubation attempts need to be performed to reach a success rate of at least 90%. However, the evidence is heterogeneous, and the incidence of difficult airways in non-elective settings is up to 20 times higher compared to elective settings. Taking this factor into account, training should include a variety of exposures and should probably exceed 50 ETIs to successfully serve the most vulnerable patients.

Use of capnographs to assess quality of pediatric ventilation with 3 different airway modalities

OBJECTIVES

Prehospital pediatric airway management is difficult and controversial. Options include bag-mask ventilation (BMV), endotracheal tube (ETT), and laryngeal mask airway (LMA). Emergency Medical Services personnel report difficulty assessing adequacy of BMV during transport. Capnography, and capnograph tracings in particular, provide a measure of real-time ventilation currently used in prehospital medicine but have not been well studied in pediatric patients or with BMV. Our objective was to compare pediatric capnographs created with 3 airway modalities.

METHODS

This was a prospective study of pediatric patients requiring ETT or LMA ventilation during elective surgical procedures. Data were collected during BMV using 2 bag types (flow-inflating and self-inflating). The ETT or LMA was placed and ventilation with each bag type repeated. Ten- to 14-second capnographs were reviewed by 2 blinded anesthesiologists who were asked to assess ventilation and identify the airway and bag type used. Descriptive statistics, κ, and risk ratios were calculated.

RESULTS

Twenty-nine patients were enrolled. Median age was 4.4 years (2 months to 16.8 years). One hundred sixteen capnographs were reviewed. Reviewers were unable to differentiate between airway modalities and agreed on adequacy of ventilation 77% of the time (κ = 0.6, P < .001). Bag-mask ventilation was rated inadequate more frequently than ETT or LMA ventilation. There were no difference between ETT and LMA ventilation and no difference between the 2 bag types.

CONCLUSION

Capnographs are generated during BMV and are virtually identical to those produced with ETT or LMA ventilation. Attention to capnographs could improve outcomes during emergency treatment and transport of critically ill pediatric patients requiring ventilation with any of these airway modalities.

Feasibility of LMA Supreme for airway management in unconscious patients by ALS paramedics

Background

Airway management to ensure sufficient gas exchange is of major importance in emergency care. The accepted basic technique is to maintain an open airway and perform artificial ventilation in emergency situations is bag-valve mask (BVM) ventilation with manual airway management without airway adjuncts or with an oropharyngeal tube (OPA) only. Endotracheal intubation (ETI) is often referred to as the golden standard of airway management, but is associated with low success rates and significant insertion-related complications when performed by non-anaesthetists. Supraglottic devices (SADs) are one alternative to ETI in these situations, but there is limited evidence regarding the use of SAD in non-cardiac arrest situations. LMA Supreme (LMA-S) is a new SAD which theoretically has an advantage concerning the risk of aspiration due to an oesophageal inlet gastric tube port.

Methods

Forty paramedics were recruited to participate in the study. Adult (>18 years) patients, unconscious due to medical or traumatic cause with a GCS score corresponding to 3–5 and needed airway management were included in the study. Our aim was to study the feasibility of LMA-S as a primary airway method in unconscious patients by advanced life support (ALS) trained paramedics in prehospital care.

Results

Three regional Emergency Medical Service (EMS) services participated and 21 patients were treated during the survey. The LMA-S was placed correctly on the first attempt in all instances 21/21 (100%), with a median time to first ventilation of 9.8 s. Paramedics evaluated the insertion to be easy in every case 21/21 (100%). Because of air leak later in the patient care, the LMA-S was exchanged to an LT-D in two cases and to ETI in three cases (23.81%) by the paramedics. Regurgitation occurred after insertion two times out of 21 (9.52%) and in one of these cases (4.76%), paramedics reported regurgitation inside the LMA-S.

Conclusion

We conclude that the LMA-S seems to be relatively easy and quick to insert in unconscious patients by paramedics. However, we found out that there were ventilation related problems with the LMA-S. Further studies are warranted.

How do paramedics manage the airway during out of hospital cardiac arrest?

AIM

The best method of initial airway management during resuscitation for out of hospital cardiac arrest (OHCA) is unknown. The airway management techniques used currently by UK paramedics during resuscitation for OHCA are not well documented. This study describes the airway management techniques used in the usual practice arm of the REVIVE-Airways feasibility study, and documents the pathway of interventions to secure and sustain ventilation during OHCA.

METHOD

Data were collected from OHCAs attended by paramedics participating in the REVIVE-Airways trial between March 2012 and February 2013. Patients were included if they were enrolled in the usual practice arm of the study, fulfilled the main study eligibility criteria and did not receive either of the intervention supraglottic airway devices during the resuscitation attempt.

RESULTS

Data from 196 attempted resuscitations were included in the analysis. The initial approach to airway management was bag-mask for 108 (55%), a supraglottic airway device (SAD) for 39 (20%) and tracheal intubation for 49 (25%). Paramedics made further airway interventions in 64% of resuscitations. When intubation was the initial approach, there was no further intervention in 76% of cases; this compares to 16% and 44% with bag-mask and SAD respectively. The most common reason cited by paramedics for changing from bag-mask was to carry out advanced life support, followed by regurgitation and inadequate ventilation. Inadequate ventilation was the commonest reason cited for removing a SAD.

CONCLUSION

Paramedics use a range of techniques to manage the airway during OHCA, and as the resuscitation evolves. It is therefore desirable to ensure that a range of techniques and equipment, supported by effective training, are available to paramedics who attend OHCA.

A prospective randomised comparison of two insertion methods for i-gel placement in anaesthetised paralysed patients: standard vs. rotational technique

In this prospective randomised study, we compared two techniques for i-gel(™) insertion. One hundred and eighty-one anaesthetised, paralysed adult patients were randomly allocated into one of two groups. In the standard group (n = 91), the i-gel was inserted using the standard technique. In the rotation group (n = 90), the i-gel was rotated 90° anticlockwise in the mouth and re-rotated in the hypopharynx to the original alignment. The success rate, insertion time, air leak pressure and complications were assessed. The success rate for insertion at the first attempt was lower for the standard technique, 78 (86%) vs. 87 (97%; p = 0.016). The mean (SD) insertion time was longer (26.9 (14.5) s vs. 22.4 (10.2) s; p = 0.016) and air leak pressure was lower (22.5 (10.4) cm H2O vs. 27.1 (9.4) cm H2O; p = 0.002) in the standard group. The incidence of bloodstaining was higher with the standard technique (8 (9%) vs. 1 (1%); p = 0.034). This study suggests that the rotational technique is superior to the standard technique for i-gel insertion.