Airway management

Point-of-Care Ultrasound in Airway Evaluation and Management: A Comprehensive Review

Airway management is a common and critical procedure in acute settings, such as the Emergency Department (ED) or Intensive Care Unit (ICU) of hospitals. Many of the traditional physical examination methods have limitations in airway assessment. Point-of-care ultrasound (POCUS) has emerged as a promising tool for airway management due to its familiarity, accessibility, safety, and non-invasive nature. It can assist physicians in identifying relevant anatomy of the upper airway with objective measurements of airway parameters, and it can guide airway interventions with dynamic real-time images. To date, ultrasound has been considered highly accurate for assessment of the difficult airway, confirmation of proper endotracheal intubation, prediction of post-extubation laryngeal edema, and preparation for cricothyrotomy by identifying the cricothyroid membrane. This review aims to provide a comprehensive overview of the key evidence on the use of ultrasound in airway management. Databases including PubMed and Embase were systematically searched. A search strategy using a combination of the term "ultrasound" combined with several search terms, i.e., "probe", "anatomy", "difficult airway", "endotracheal intubation", "laryngeal edema", and "cricothyrotomy" was performed. In conclusion, POCUS is a valuable tool with multiple applications ranging from pre- and post-intubation management. Clinicians should consider using POCUS in conjunction with traditional exam techniques to manage the airway more efficiently in the acute setting.

BET 2: Predicting the need for endotracheal intubation in poisoned patients

A short cut review of the literature was carried out to establish whether any risk factors would predict the need for endotracheal intubation in undifferentiated adult patients presenting with poisoning/overdose with unknown substance. Five papers presented the best evidence to answer the clinical question. The author, date and country of publication, patient group studied, study type, relevant outcomes, results and study weaknesses of these papers are tabulated. It is concluded that further robust studies of large cohorts are needed to answer this difficult question.

Mechanically Ventilating the Severe Asthmatic

The management of the critically ill patients with asthma can be rather challenging. Potentially devastating complications relating to this presentation include hypoxemia, worsening bronchospasm, pulmonary aspiration, tension pneumothorax, dynamic hyperinflation, hypotension, dysrhythmias, and seizures. In contrast to various other pathologies requiring mechanical ventilation, acute asthma is generally associated with better outcomes. This review serves as a practical guide to the physician managing patients with severe acute asthma requiring mechanical ventilation. In addition to specifics relating to endotracheal intubation, we also discuss the interpretation of ventilator graphics, the recommended mode of ventilation, dynamic hyperinflation, permissive hypercapnia, as well as the role of extracorporeal membrane oxygenation and noninvasive mechanical ventilation.

Endotracheal Intubation after Acute Drug Overdoses: Incidence, Complications, and Risk Factors

BACKGROUND

Drug overdose is the leading cause of injury-related fatality in the United States, and respiratory failure remains a major source of morbidity and mortality.

OBJECTIVES

We aimed to identify the incidence and risk factors for endotracheal intubation after acute drug overdose.

METHODS

This secondary data analysis was performed on a 5-year prospective cohort at two urban tertiary-care hospitals. The present study analyzed adult patients with suspected acute drug overdose to derive independent clinical predictors of endotracheal intubation.

RESULTS

We analyzed 2497 patients with acute drug overdose, of whom 87 (3.5%) underwent endotracheal intubation. Independent clinical risk factors for endotracheal intubation were: younger age (odds ratio [OR] 0.97, 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.96-0.98), and history of obstructive lung disease (OR 6.6, 95% CI 3.5-12.3); however, heart failure had no association. Patients with obstructive lung disease had significantly more hypercapnia (mean difference 6.8 mm Hg, 95% CI 2.3-11.3) and a higher degree of acidemia (mean pH difference 0.04, 95% CI 0.01-0.07) than patients without obstructive lung disease. Lack of rapid sequence sedative/paralytic was associated with in-hospital fatality. Early complications of endotracheal intubation itself included desaturation (3.4%) and bradycardia (1%).

CONCLUSIONS

Endotracheal intubation was infrequently performed on patients with acute drug overdose, and complications were rare when performed. Risk factors associated with endotracheal intubation included younger age and prior obstructive lung disease.

Postintubation Hypotension in General Anesthesia: A Retrospective Analysis

BACKGROUND

Postintubation hypotension (PIH) is an adverse event associated with poor outcomes in emergency department endotracheal intubations. Study objective was to determine the incidence of PIH and its impact on outcomes following tracheal intubation in a general anesthesia population.

METHODS

Structured chart audit of adult patients intubated for a vascular surgery procedure at a tertiary care center over a 3-year period. Outcomes included in-hospital mortality, extended intensive care unit length of stay (ICU LOS), and requirement for postoperative (postop) hemodialysis or mechanical ventilation.

RESULTS

Incidence of PIH was 60% (837 of 1395). Patients who developed PIH had increased mortality (8.8% PIH vs 5.2% no-PIH; P = .014), extended ICU LOS (7.9% PIH vs 2.0% no-PIH; P < .001), and postop mechanical ventilation requirement (20.7% PIH vs 3.8% no-PIH; P < .001). When controlling for confounding factors, PIH was associated with extended ICU LOS (odds ratio [OR] 2.55, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.01-6.62, P = .049), postop ventilation (OR 2.43, 95% CI 1.27-4.74, P = .008), and a composite end point (OR 1.72, 95% CI 1.02-2.92, P = .043).

CONCLUSIONS

Development of PIH occurs in 60% of patients undergoing intubation for vascular surgery and was associated with adverse outcomes including extended ICU LOS and postop ventilation requirement.

Procedural sedation and analgesia in the emergency department

Procedural sedation and analgesia (PSA) is a core part of modern emergency department (ED) care allowing the rapid provision of important procedures. The safe delivery of a PSA service requires an appropriately staffed and equipped environment backed up by an ongoing system of training, audit and review. Topics covered in this review include: the evidence relating to the agents used; patient care before, during and after the procedure; the outcomes of ED PSA; and, the special considerations relating to PSA in children.

Penetrating craniofacial trauma from a vice clamp: case report and discussion

Penetrating craniofacial trauma, although uncommon, has a high potential for death or serious morbidity from injury to vital neurovascular structures. An in situ facial foreign body, particularly if large, presents significant challenges beyond safe and timely removal. Airway management, stabilization of the object, management of increased intracranial pressure, and identification of injuries to local structures are all issues that may require addressing. We present a case of penetrating facial trauma from a vice clamp, with an in situ foreign body, that illustrates several of these challenges and provides a forum for their discussion.

Risk factors, management and outcomes of patients admitted with near fatal asthma to a tertiary care hospital in Riyadh

RATIONALE:

Near-fatal asthma (NFA) has not been well studied in Saudi Arabia. We evaluated NFA risk factors in asthmatics admitted to a tertiary-care hospital and described NFA management and outcomes.

MATERIALS AND METHODS:

This was a retrospective study of NFA patients admitted to an ICU in Riyadh (2006-2010). NFA was defined as a severe asthma attack requiring intubation. To evaluate NFA risk factors, randomly selected patients admitted to the ward for asthma exacerbation were used as controls. Collected data included demographics, information on prior asthma control and various NFA treatments and outcomes.

RESULTS:

Thirty NFA cases were admitted to the ICU in the five-year period. Compared to controls (N = 120), NFA patients were younger (37.5 ± 19.9 vs. 50.3 ± 23.1 years, P = 0.004) and predominantly males (70.0% vs. 41.7%, P = 0.005) and used less inhaled steroids/long-acting ß2-agonists combination (13.6% vs. 38.7% P = 0.024. Most (73.3%) NFA cases presented in the cool months (October-March). On multivariate analysis, age (odds ratio [OR] 0.96; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.92-0.99, P = 0.015) and the number of ED visits in the preceding year (OR, 1.25; 95% CI, 1.00-1.55) were associated with NFA. Rescue NFA management included ketamine (50%) and theophylline (19%) infusions. NFA outcomes included: neuromyopathy (23%), mechanical ventilation duration = 6.4 ± 4.7 days, tracheostomy (13%) and mortality (0%). Neuromuscular blockade duration was associated with neuromyopathy (OR, 3.16 per one day increment; 95% CI, 1.27-7.83).

CONCLUSIONS:

In our study, NFA risk factors were younger age and higher number of ED visits. NFA had significant morbidity. Reducing neuromuscular blockade duration during ventilator management may decrease neuromyopathy risk.

Prospective observational study of the practice of endotracheal intubation in the emergency department of a tertiary hospital in Sydney, Australia

OBJECTIVE

To describe the practice of endotracheal intubation in the ED of a tertiary hospital in Australia, with particular emphasis on the indication, staff seniority, technique, number of attempts required and the rate of complications.

METHODS

A prospective observational study.

RESULTS

Two hundred and ninety-five intubations occurred in 18 months. Trauma was the indication for intubation in 30.5% (95% CI 25.3-36.0) and medical conditions in 69.5% (95% CI 64.0-74.5). Emergency physicians were team leaders in 69.5% (95% CI 64.0-74.5), whereas ED registrars or senior Resident Medical Officers made the first attempt at intubation in 88.1% (95% CI 83.9-91.3). Difficult laryngoscopy occurred in 24.0% (95% CI 19.5-29.3) of first attempts, whereas first pass success occurred in 83.4% (95% CI 78.7-87.2). A difficult intubation occurred in 3.4% (95% CI 1.9-6.1) and all patients were intubated orally in five or less attempts. A bougie was used in 30.9% (95% CI 25.8-36.5) of first attempts, whereas a stylet in 37.5% (95% CI 32.1-43.3). Complications occurred in 29.0% (95% CI 23.5-34.1) of the patients, with desaturation the commonest in 15.7% (95% CI 11.9-20.5). Cardiac arrest occurred in 2.2% (95% CI 0.9-4.4) after intubation. No surgical airways were undertaken.

CONCLUSION

Although the majority of results are comparable with overseas data, the rates of difficult laryngoscopy and desaturation are higher than previously reported. We feel that this data has highlighted the need for practice improvement within our department and we would encourage all those who undertake emergent airway management to audit their own practice of this high-risk procedure.