Search

Introduction Laryngeal tubes (LT) are supraglottic airway devices routinely used in emergency airway management. During cardiac arrest in a swine model, the carotid artery blood flow is reduced after insertion of a LT. A compression of the internal carotid (ICA) artery by the inflated cuff was shown. Up to now there is no information if the LT has similar effects in humans with possible negative implications for use of the LT in case of cardiac arrest. Objective We hypothesized that the use of a LT in humans significantly reduces the blood flow in the ICA compared facemask ventilation. A significant reduction was defined as a 25% reduction from baseline values. Material and methods After induction of general anaesthesia and reaching a haemodynamic steady state (stable heart rate >50/min and mean arterial pressure >60 mmHg), blood flow within the ICA was measured via doppler sonography during pressure-controlled ventilation with facemask-, laryngeal tube- and laryngeal mask. Results We found no differences in the carotid blood flow. Neither between the facemask ventilation (right side 419 ± 159 ml min−1, left side 355 ± 120 ml min−1) and the laryngeal tube ventilation (right side 400 ± 131 ml min−1, left side 384 ± 124 ml min−1. p = 0.86 and p = 0.12), nor the facemask-ventilation and the laryngeal mask ventilation (right ICA 415 ± 150 ml min−1, left ICA 485 ± 274 ml min−1, p = 0.49 and 0.26). Conclusions In humans the LT does not impair blood flow of the internal carotid artery during ventilation in general anaesthesia. Further studies are needed to confirm our findings under the conditions of cardiac arrest.

International audience; BACKGROUND: Studying ventilation and intrathoracic pressure (ITP) induced by chest compressions (CC) during Cardio Pulmonary Resuscitation is challenging and important aspects such as airway closure have been mostly ignored. We hypothesized that Thiel Embalmed Cadavers could constitute an appropriate model.METHODS: We assessed respiratory mechanics and ITP during CC in 11 cadavers, and we compared it to measurements obtained in 9 out-of-hospital cardiac arrest patients and to predicted values from a bench model. An oesophageal catheter was inserted to assess chest wall compliance, and ITP variation (ΔITP). Airway pressure variation (ΔPaw) at airway opening and ΔITP generated by CC were measured at decremental positive end expiratory pressure (PEEP) to test its impact on flow and ΔPaw. The patient's data were derived from flow and airway pressure captured via the ventilator during resuscitation.RESULTS: Resistance and Compliance of the respiratory system were comparable to those of the out-of-hospital cardiac arrest patients (C 42 ± 12 vs C 37.3 ± 10.9 mL/cmHO and Res 17.5 ± 7.5 vs Res 20.2 ± 5.3 cmHO/L/sec), and remained stable over time. During CC, ΔITP varied from 32 ± 12 cmHO to 69 ± 14 cmHO with manual and automatic CC respectively. Transmission of ΔITP at the airway opening was significantly affected by PEEP, suggesting dynamic small airway closure at low lung volumes. This phenomenon was similarly observed in patients.CONCLUSION: Respiratory mechanics and dynamic pressures during CC of cadavers behave as predicted by a theoretical model and similarly to patients. The Thiel model is a suitable to assess ITP variations induced by ventilation during CC.

Aim: The optimal ventilation rate during cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) with a tracheal tube is unknown. We evaluated whether in adults with cardiac arrest and a secure airway (tracheal tube), a ventilation rate of 10 min(-1), compared to any other rate during CPR, improves outcomes. Methods: A systematic review up to 14 July 2016. We included both adult human and animal studies. A GRADE (Grades of Recommendation, Assessment, Development and Evaluation) approach was used to evaluate the quality of evidence for each outcome. Results: We identified one human observational study with 67 patients and ten animal studies (234 pigs and 30 dogs). All studies carried a high risk of bias. All studies evaluated for return of spontaneous circulation (ROSC). Studies showed no improvement in ROSC with a ventilation rate of 10 min-1 compared to any other rate. The evidence for longer-term outcomes such as survival to discharge and survival with favourable neurological outcome was very limited. Conclusion: A ventilation rate recommendation of 10 min-1 during adult CPR with a tracheal tube and no pauses for chest compression is a very weak recommendation based on very low quality evidence. (C) 2017 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Background Chest compressions and ventilation are lifesaving tasks during cardio-pulmonary resuscitation (CPR). Besides oxygenation, endotracheal intubation (ETI) during CPR is performed to avoid aspiration of gastric contents. If intubation is difficult or impossible, supraglottic airway devices are utilized. We tested six different airway devices regarding their potential to protect against regurgitation and aspiration during CPR in a randomized experimental human cadaver study. Methods Five-hundred ml of 0.01% methylene-blue-solution were instilled into the stomach of 30 adult human cadavers via an oro-gastric tube. The cadavers were then randomly assigned to one of six groups, resulting in 5 cadavers in each group. Airway management was performed with either bag-valve ventilation, Laryngeal Tube, EasyTube, Laryngeal Mask (Classic), I-Gel, or ETI. Thereafter 5 min of CPR were performed according to the 2010 Guidelines of the European Resuscitation Council. Pulmonary aspiration was defined as the presence of methylene-blue-solution below the vocal cords or the ETI cuff as assessed by fiber-optic bronchoscopy. Results Thirty cadavers were included (14 females, 16 males). Aspiration was detected in three out of five cadavers receiving bag-valve ventilation and in two out of five intubated with LMA or I-Gel. In cadavers intubated with the LT, aspiration occurred in one out of five cases. No aspiration could be detected in cadavers intubated with ETI and EasyTube. Conclusion This study provides experimental evidence that, during CPR, ETI offers superior protection against regurgitation and pulmonary aspiration of gastric contents than supraglottic airway devices or bag-valve ventilation.

Objectives Emergency medicine is increasingly recognized as a medical specialty in Japan. However, comprehensive studies evaluating emergency airway management practice are lacking. We describe emergency department (ED) airway management using a large multi-center registry. Methods We formed the Japanese Emergency Airway Network, a consortium of 10 academic and community medical centers in Japan, and prospectively collected data on ED intubations from April 2010 to February 2011. All patients undergoing emergency intubation were eligible for inclusion. Data were entered in real time by the intubator using a standardized data form. Variables included patient's age, sex, weight, indication for intubation, methods of intubation, drugs, level of training and specialty of the intubator, number of attempts, success or failure, and adverse events. We present descriptive data as proportions with 95% confidence intervals. Results We recorded 1486 intubations (compliance rate 99%). Intubation was ultimately successful in 99.7%. The initial method of intubation varied substantially among the hospitals, including rapid sequence intubation (0–79%), sedation without paralysis (4–88%), paralysis without sedation (0–18%), and oral without medication (12–67%), in non-cardiac arrest encounters. Success rates in first and ≤3 attempts ranged from 40 to 83% and from 74 to 100%, respectively. The overall adverse event rate was 11%, without significant difference by the method used. Conclusions In this multi-center study characterizing ED airway management across Japan, we observed a high overall success rate but a high degree of variation among hospitals in the methods of intubation and success rates.

Purpose Airway management for successful ventilation by laypersons and inexperienced healthcare providers is difficult to achieve. Bag-valve mask (BVM) ventilation requires extensive training and is performed poorly. Supraglottic airway devices (SADs) have been successfully introduced to clinical resuscitation practice as an alternative. We evaluated recently introduced (i-gel™ and LMA-Supreme™) and established SADs (LMA-Unique™, LMA-ProSeal™) and BVM used by laypeople in training sessions on manikins. Methods In this randomized controlled study, 267 third-year medical students participated with informed consent and IRB approval. After brief standardized training, each participant applied all devices in a randomized order. Success of device application and ventilation was recorded. Without further training, skill retention was assessed in the same manner 12 months later. Outcome parameters were the number of application attempts, application time, tidal volume and gastric inflation rate recorded at successful attempts, and subjective ease-of-use rating by the participants. Results i-gel™ and LMA-Supreme™ were the most successful in the first attempt at both assessments and in the subjective ease-of-use rating. The shortest application time was found with BVM (8 ± 5 s in 2008 vs. 9 ± 5 s in 2009) and i-gel (10 ± 3 s vs. 12 ± 5 s). Tidal volumes were disappointing with no device reaching 50% volume within the recommended range (0.4–0.6 L). Gastric inflation rate was highest with BVM (18% vs. 20%) but significantly lower with all SADs (0.4–6%; p Conclusion SADs showed clear advantages over BVM. Compared with LMA-Unique™ and LMA-ProSeal™, i-gel™ and LMA-Supreme™ led to higher first-attempt success rates and a shorter application time.

Purpose: We sought to compare the ability of novice operators to provide artificial ventilation using a standard facemask and a new ergonomically designed facemask. Whether or not proper technique was used was also assessed. Methods: Thirty-two allied-health students used both masks in random crossover fashion to ventilate an airway trainer. Breaths were delivered by a mechanical ventilator and exhaled tidal volume was recorded for each of 12 breaths for each participant for each mask. The effect of each mask during ventilation over time was assessed using repeated-measures ANOVA. Assessment of mask technique among participants and association between mask type and hand repositioning were analyzed using the Wilcoxon-Rank Sum Test and McNemar’s paired proportions test, respectively. Results: The tidal volume achieved when participants used the ergonomic mask was higher than when participants used the standard mask by the fourth breath (361 ± 104 mL vs. 264 ± 163 mL; Bonferroni adjusted p-value = 0.040) and increased over time. The repeated-measures ANOVA showed that the ergonomic mask consistently resulted in higher tidal volumes than the standard mask regardless of rescuer’s gender. Over time the standard mask resulted in a linear decrease in tidal volume of −10 mL/breath (estimated difference in decay of 10 mL/breath versus the ergonomic mask; p < 0.001). Conclusion: Novice airway operators were better able to provide facemask ventilation using an ergonomically designed mask than with a traditional facemask. We conclude that better hand position facilitating improved mask seal and less operator fatigue account for our findings.

Summary Introduction We sought to evaluate the association between three key out-of-hospital endotracheal intubation (ETI) errors and patient outcomes. Methods We prospectively collected multicenter data on out-of-hospital ETI attempted by Emergency Medical Service (EMS) rescuers. We probabilistically linked these data to statewide EMS, death and hospital discharge data sets. The key ETI error events were (1) endotracheal tube misplacement or dislodgement, (2) multiple ETI attempts (≥4 laryngoscopies) and (3) failed ETI. The primary outcomes were death (survival to hospital discharge) and secondary complications identified through ICD-9 discharge diagnoses. Using Cox regression with heavyside functions, we identified the associations between out-of-hospital ETI errors and early (in the field or emergency department) and later (on or after hospital admission) death. We censored non-linked cases, adjusted for important clinical covariates, and used a shared frailty regression model to account for clustering by EMS agency. We evaluated the associations between out-of-hospital ETI errors and secondary complications using univariable odds ratios with exact 95% confidence intervals. Results Of 1954 out-of-hospital ETI, 444 (22.7%) patients experienced one or more ETI errors, including tube misplacement or dislodgement in 61 (3%), multiple ETI attempts in 62 (3%) and failed ETI in 359 (15%). Of the 1196 (61%) cases linked to outcomes, 872 (73%) died and 323 (27%) survived to hospital discharge. ETI errors were not associated with early death (tube misplacement or dislodgement: Hazard Ratio 0.98, 95% CI 0.65–1.47; multiple ETI attempts: 1.22, 0.80–1.85; failed ETI: 1.10, 0.88–1.39) or later death (tube misplacement or dislodgement: 0.40, 0.10–1.62; multiple ETI attempts: 1.77, 0.23–13.30; failed ETI: 0.76, 0.47–1.25). Pneumonitis was associated with failed ETI ( n =20, 19%; univariable OR 2.54; 95% CI 1.24–5.25). Conclusion Out-of-hospital ETI errors are not associated with mortality. Failed out-of-hospital ETI increases the odds of pneumonitis.

Summary Background In 2005 the European Resuscitation Council (ERC) published a revised version of the guidelines for Advanced Life Support (ALS). One of the aims was to reduce the time without chest compression in the first period of cardiac arrest (no-flow-time; NFT). We evaluated in a manikin study the influence on NFT using the single use laryngeal tube with suction option (LTS-D) compared to single use I-gel for emergency airway management. Methods A randomised prospective study with 200 paramedics who performed standardised simulated cardiac arrest management in a manikin. Results The use of the LTS-D did not significantly reduce NFT compared with the I-gel (104.7 s vs. 105.1 s; p > 0.05). The LTS-D was inserted as fast as the I-gel (10.4 s vs. 9.3 s; p > 0.05). The LTS-D was correctly positioned by 98% of the participants on the first attempt compared to 96% with the I-gel. During the cardiac arrest simulation, establishing and performing first ventilation took an average of 40.5 s with the LTS-D compared to 40.9 s with the I-gel. Conclusion In our manikin study, NFT was comparable using the LTS-D and the I-gel. Therefore, for personnel not experienced in tracheal intubation, the LTS-D and the I-gel seem to be equal alternatives in establishing the airway during cardiac arrest. However, relevant clinical studies are appropriate because any change in guidelines in this area must be based on clinical evidence.

Summary Aim of the study Airway management in an out-of-hospital setting is a critical and demanding skill. Previous studies evaluated the intubating laryngeal mask airway (ILMA) as a valuable tool in this area. The LMA CTrach™ Laryngeal Mask Airway (CTrach) may increase intubation success. Therefore, we evaluated the CTrach as the primary tool for airway management in the out-of-hospital setting in adult patients. Methods From October 2006 until September 2007 EAN and SGR included all patients who needed advanced airway management during out-of-hospital emergency medicine service. Ventilation and intubation has been performed via the CTrach as the primary choice. Before intubation, visualization of the vocal cords was optimized under continuous ventilation via the CTrach. The time needed, manoeuvres to optimize vision, grades of vision and success rates have been documented. Results 16 patients have been included. Ventilation and intubation via the CTrach was possible in all patients. Ventilation was mostly established in less than 15 s and was established in 15 of 16 (94%) patients at the first attempt. Intubation was successful in 15 of 16 (94%) patients on the first attempt. Visualization of the laryngeal structures was achieved in 69% of patients, while intubation without sight was performed in 31%, respectively. Conclusion In this study, ventilation and intubation via the CTrach was successful and could be rapidly established in all patients. Our data suggest that the use of the CTrach may be suitable for the out-of-hospital setting as it provides ventilation and facilitates intubation with a very high success rate.

Summary Background The aim of the study was to provide an accurate account of current practice of laryngeal mask airway (LMA) use within SA Ambulance Service (SAAS) and identify issues that could lead to constructive training for paramedics and improve clinical care and patient safety. Materials and methods A clinical audit of LMA use within SAAS was registered with the Director of Clinical Governance at Flinders Medical Centre in South Australia. Data were collected prospectively in a state wide all inclusive study over 12 months (February 2006 to January 2007). The primary outcome variable we determined was successful insertion after one or two attempts. Secondary outcome measures were overall success rate and reasons for failure. Results Insertion of an LMA was attempted by 179 paramedical staff in 164 patients. Success after one or two attempts was obtained in 65% of patients (107/164). Overall success rate (any number of attempts) was 74% (121/164), of those 45% were on the first attempt, 20% on the second attempt and the remainder (9%) required three or more attempts to achieve successful insertion. Reported failures were ascribed to patient anatomy (13), technique (9), airway soiling (7), device (6), trismus (1), high Glasgow Coma Score (1), trauma (1) or unknown (5). Conclusion This clinical audit provides a comprehensive account of LMA use within SA Ambulance Service. Although the current practice was found to be acceptable, these results are below those of comparable groups and should be improved upon.

Summary Background Hospitalized patients with serious medical conditions such as shock, aspiration, pulmonary edema or stroke may develop acute respiratory compromise (ARC) requiring rescue treatment by medical emergency teams. We determined the characteristics and clinical course of hospitalized patients experiencing ARC as well as their risk of developing subsequent CPA. Methods We examined data from the National Registry of Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (NRCPR). We identified patients experiencing ARC, defined as medical crisis requiring emergency assisted ventilation and triggering hospital-wide or unit-based emergency response. We excluded those found initially in CPA. We identified the proportion of patients subsequently progressing to CPA, the elapsed time from ARC recognition to CPA, the clinical factors associated with developing CPA, and subsequent survival to hospital discharge. Results Of 4358 ARC events, CPA occurred in 726 (16.7%; 95% CI: 15.6, 17.8%). One-fourth occurred in general inpatient units. Median time from ARC recognition to CPA was 7 min (IQR: 3, 12 min); CPA occurred within 10 min in 65.3% of these cases. Factors associated with CPA included pulmonary embolism, hypotension or hypoperfusion, or failed invasive airway efforts. Survival to discharge was lower for CPA patients (14.3%) than non-CPA patients (58.4%) (OR 0.12; 95% CI: 0.10, 0.15). Conclusions Approximately one in six patients experiencing initial ARC deteriorates to CPA. Most CPA occur within 10 min of ARC recognition. Improved ARC recognition, hospital emergency team response and airway management may potentially enhance care and outcomes for these critically ill patients.

Summary Introduction The EasyTube™, which is constructed in a similar way to the Combitube™, is a recently introduced alternative to tracheal intubation for airway management in emergency medicine. Objective To determine if there is a difference in rate of, and time to, successful airway placement and ventilation using tracheal intubation, Combitube™ and EasyTube™. Methods Twenty-six paramedics, trained in tracheal intubation received additional training in the use of the Combitube™ and the EasyTube™. Each participant performed all three methods twice in random order on a manikin. Time to successful ventilation (presented as mean and standard deviation) and success rate were recorded. Results Mean time to successful ventilation was significantly longer for tracheal intubation (45.2s (S.D.=15.8)) than for the Combitube™ (36.0s (S.D.=8.6)) p =0.002 and the EasyTube™ (38.0s (S.D.=15.3)) p =0.023 with no difference between the latter ( p =1.000). Success rate for the Combitube™ and EasyTube™ combined (103/104) was significantly higher than for tracheal intubation (45/52) with odds ratio 16.0 (95% CI: 1.9–134); p =0.002. Conclusion For paramedics tested on manikins placement success rate was higher with less time required for the Combitube™ and Easytube™ than for tracheal intubation with no differences between the Combitube and EasyTube™.

The "jet endotracheal tube" (JET) has been designed to facilitate emergency intubation in apnoeic or paralyzed patients with a difficult airway. We investigated the efficiency of jet ventilation to maintain adequate oxygenation and ventilation using the initially designed JET, either with its distal tip positioned above vocal cord and pointed directly at or 45 degrees to the right of the vocal cord opening midline in 10 adult paralyzed pigs. The effectiveness of using end tidal carbon dioxide pressure (PetCO(2)), chest rise and breath sounds to facilitate tracheal placement of the JET blindly in a simulated difficult airway was studied. All complications of using the JET were noted. Jet ventilation with the distal tip of the JET pointed directly at, not 45 degrees to the right of vocal cord opening midline, provides adequate oxygenation and ventilation during intubation. In a simulated difficult airway, PetCO(2), chest rise and breath sounds were all effective methods to assist placement of the JET blindly, and the combination of all three methods works the best. No serious complications were detected with the use of the JET. Our results suggest that a correctly positioned JET guided by monitoring PetCO(2), chest rise and breath sound provides adequate oxygenation and ventilation during intubation in apnoeic pigs, and facilitates the intubation blindly in a simulated difficult airway. No serious complications were observed using the JET in this study. In patients requiring emergency intubation, a JET with PetCO(2) monitoring catheter and the instructions for use may be a useful addition to the airway management devices.

Background: We developed a large animal model of the “cannot intubate/cannot ventilate” (CNI/V) scenario to compare percutaneous transcricoid manual jet ventilation (MJV) with surgical cricothyroidotomy (SC). Methods: Twelve sheep weighing 40–80 kg were assigned to MJV or SC groups. After sedation, intubation, and line placement, CNI/V was simulated by removing the tracheal tube and inducing paralysis with vecuronium. When SaO 2 reached 80% ( t =0), MJV catheter insertion or SC was initiated. Upon successful airway placement, ventilation began using 100% oxygen at 20 breaths/min. MJV was administered at 50 psi. HR, BP, SaO 2 , pH, PCO 2 , and PO 2 were recorded at t =0, 30, 60, 90, 120, 150, 180, 300, 600, and 1200 s. Data were reported as mean±S.E.M. over the whole observation period. Baseline values were compared using Student’s t -tests. Repeated-values ANOVA was used for post-procedure group comparisons. Statistical tests were two-tailed and alpha was set at 0.05. Results: Body weights were not significantly ( P =0.08) different between MJV (65±6 kg) and SC (52±3 kg) groups. Baseline respiratory and hemodynamic variables were also not significantly different. Median procedure time for MJV (20 s) and SC (24 s) was not significantly ( P =0.69) different. Post-procedure values were not significantly different for SaO 2 ( P =0.65), pH ( P =0.70), PCO 2 ( P =0.47), PO 2 ( P =0.84), MAP ( P =0.09), or HR ( P =0.16) over the entire 20 min resuscitation period. Conclusion: Using a realistic model of CNI/V we found no difference in respiratory or hemodynamic variables between MJV and SC. Adequate ventilation and perfusion was maintained solely by MJV for up to 20 min.

In some emergency situations resuscitation and ventilation may have to be performed by basic life support trained personnel, especially in rural areas where arrival of advanced life support teams can be delayed. The use of advanced airway devices such as endotracheal intubation has been deemphasized for basically-trained personnel, but it is unclear whether supraglottic airway devices are advisable over traditional mask-ventilation.In this prospective, randomized clinical single-centre trial we compared airway management and ventilation performed by nurses using facemask, laryngeal mask Supreme (LMA-S) and laryngeal tube suction-disposable (LTS-D). Basic life support trained nurses (n=20) received one-hour practical training with each device. ASA 1-2 patients scheduled for elective surgery were included (n=150). After induction of anaesthesia and neuromuscular block nurses had two 90-second attempts to manage the airway and ventilate the patient with volume-controlled ventilation.Ventilation failed in 34% of patients with facemask, 2% with LMA-S and 22% with LTS-D (P0.001). In patients who could be ventilated successfully mean tidal volume was 240±210 ml with facemask, 470±120 ml with LMA-S and 470±140 ml with LTS-D (P0.001). Leak pressure was lower with LMA-S (23.3±10.8 cm H2O, 95% CI 20.2-26.4) than with LTS-D (28.9±13.9 cm·H2O, 95% CI 24.4-33.4; P=0.047).After one hour of introductory training, nurses were able to use LMA-S more effectively than facemask and LTS-D. High ventilation failure rates with facemask and LTS-D may indicate that additional training is required to perform airway management adequately with these devices. High-level trials are needed to confirm these results in cardiac arrest patients.

Background Current cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) guidelines recommend airway management and ventilation whilst minimising interruptions to chest compressions. We have assessed i-gel™ use during CPR. Methods In an observational study of i-gel™ use during CPR we assessed the ease of i-gel™ insertion, adequacy of ventilation, the presence of a leak during ventilation, and whether ventilation was possible without interrupting chest compressions. Results We analysed i-gel™ insertion by paramedics ( n =63) and emergency physicians ( n =7) in 70 pre-hospital CPR attempts. There was a 90% first attempt insertion success rate, 7% on the second attempt, and 3% on the third attempt. Insertion was reported as easy in 80% ( n =56), moderately difficult in 16% ( n =11), and difficult in 4% ( n =3). Providers reported no leak on ventilation in 80% ( n =56), a moderate leak in 17% ( n =12), and a major leak with no chest rise in 3% ( n =2). There was a significant association between ease of insertion and the quality of the seal ( r =0.99, p =0.02). The i-gel™ enabled continuous chest compressions without pauses for ventilation in 74% ( n =52) of CPR attempts. There was no difference in the incidence of leaks on ventilation between patients having continuous chest compressions and patients who had pauses in chest compressions for ventilation (83% versus 72%, p =0.33, 95% CI [−0.1282, 0.4037]). Ventilation during CPR was adequate during 96% of all CPR attempts. Conclusions The i-gel™ is an easy supraglottic airway device to insert and enables adequate ventilation during CPR.

The outcome following a cardiac arrest is affected by the length of time that elapses before cardiopulmonary resuscitation is initiated. Only 10–15% of patients experiencing cardiac arrest in hospital settings survive to discharge. Therefore, the time between cardiac arrest and administration of cardiopulmonary resuscitation in a metropolitan hospital was examined. All cardiac and respiratory arrests that occurred in the adult non-intensive care areas of a medical center over a period of 16 months were evaluated within 12 h to determine how much time had elapsed before resuscitation was initiated, the devices utilized for initial airway management, and the outcome. To initiate ventilation, bag-valve-masks (BVMs) were used in the majority (76%) of the efforts to resuscitate while mouth-to-mask resuscitation was performed in another 18%; however, in only 37% of the codes was ventilation initiated within 1 min and in 18% ventilation was started after 3 min. Mouth-to-mask resuscitation resulted in more rapid time to onset of ventilation than BVM. In only 18% of the arrests studied was a ‘lay-on’ mask available in the room and utilized. In 11%, a bag-valve-mask was at the patient's bedside, and in 53% a BVM was taken from the crash cart outside the room. In 63% of the cases where using a lay-on mask was appropriate, it was either not looked for or not present in the patient's room. Also in 37% of the cases where a BVM was needed, one was not readily present because of difficulty in locating the crash cart immediately. Although initiation of cardiopulmonary resuscitation within a minute of a cardiac or respiratory arrest is the standard of care, in the non-intensive care in-patient cases surveyed, typically more than a minute elapsed, and frequently 3 or more minutes, before resuscitation was started. If the time elapsing before an arresting in-patient is ventilated can be shortened, which is easily and effectively achieved by mouth-to-mouth or mouth-to-mask resuscitation, an increase in both the survival rate and the number of good neurological outcomes should be expected.

The study aims to compare the performances (ease of insertion, time to establish effective ventilation and maximal inflation pressure) of classic™ (cLMA), ProSeal™ (PLMA) and Supreme™ (SLMA) Laryngeal Mask Airway when used in a neonatal airway management manikin by inexperienced delivery room trainees. The quality of the three devices, as perceived by participants, was also evaluated.Health-care professional trainees were given a brief supervised training with the three devices. Every trainee was then observed positioning each of the three different LMAs in a single occasion. Success rate, time (IT) and maximal inflation pressure (PI(max)) were recorded by a single unblinded observer. A 4-point scale was used to rate participants' perceived quality.A total of 40 health-care professional trainees participated in the study. There were five, three and one failed insertions at the first attempt with the cLMA, PLMA and SLMA, respectively. No failures to establish an effective airway within three attempts were recorded. The success rate at first attempt was comparable among the three devices. The mean IT was significantly lower with the SLMA as compared with PLMA (p0.01), but not to cLMA. The mean PI(max) was higher with SLMA than with cLMA and PLMA (p0.01). The ease of insertion as well as the effectiveness of ventilation were perceived by the participants as superior with SLMA as compared with cLMA and PLMA (p0.01).Neonatal SLMA is superior to PLMA in terms of time to establish effective ventilation; furthermore, maximal inflation pressure and quality perceived by the operator are higher with neonatal SLMA than with cLMA and PLMA. These manikin data could provide a useful guide for planning potential future clinical research involving the newly developed supraglottic device in neonates.

This study investigates if a n impedance threshold valve (ITV) might improve survival after cardiac arrest by increasing vital organ blood flow. The combination of ITV and supraglottic airway devices (SADs) has not been previously studied. This simulation study in a manikin aimed at analysing differences in ventilation with different SADs without and with an ITV.In a resuscitation manikin, cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) was performed with interrupted (30:2) and continuous chest compressions using facemask, tracheal tube and 10 SADs (six different laryngeal masks, LT-D, LTS-D, Combitube((R)) and Easy Tube((R))). Ventilation was performed with and without an ITV. A total of 550 CPR cycles of 3-min duration were performed with chest compressions and ventilation standardised by use of a mechanical thumper device and an emergency ventilator.Sufficient ventilation was possible with all devices tested. For ventilation during continuous chest compressions, there were significantly reduced tidal volumes for all airway devices with ITV use. By contrast, during interrupted chest compressions, no differences in tidal volumes with the ITV occurred in the majority of devices. The maximum reduction of tidal volume for any device was 7.8% of the volume reached without the ITV.Based on the findings of this manikin trial, the use of an ITV for ventilation during CPR is possible in combination with supraglottic airway devices. Merging these two strategies warrants further clinical evaluation to judge the relevance of tidal volume reduction found in this trial.

Traditionally, anaesthetists have provided airway management skills on resuscitation teams. Because advanced life support (ALS) courses teach practical airway management, some UK hospitals have dropped anaesthetists from cardiac arrest teams. Does the ALS course give non-anaesthetists adequate skills to manage an airway during a cardiac arrest?We recruited adult surgical patients undergoing general anaesthesia and laryngeal mask airway (LMA) insertion as part of their routine care. Patients were randomly assigned to airway management by a junior doctor; either an ALS-qualified anaesthetist or an ALS-qualified non-anaesthetist. After induction of anaesthesia, five manual ventilations were delivered using a self-inflating bag-mask device before insertion of a LMA. We recorded the quality of manual ventilation (adequate, partially adequate or inadequate), the time to LMA insertion, and any complications.Twenty anaesthetists and 16 non-anaesthetist ALS graduates participated. Of the anaesthetists, 18 (90%) demonstrated adequate and 2 (10%) demonstrated partially adequate manual ventilation skills, compared with non-anaesthetists of whom 5 (31.25%) demonstrated adequate, 5 (31.25%) demonstrated partially adequate, and 6 (37.5%) demonstrated inadequate manual ventilation skills (p0.001). Eighteen anaesthetists (90%) and 4 non-anaesthetists (25%) met the ALS LMA insertion guideline time of 30s (p0.0001). Median time for LMA insertion by anaesthetists and non-anaesthetists was 20.5s (range 16-40s, n=20) and 35.0 s (range 18-168, n=10) respectively (p0.05). Six of the 16 non-anaesthetists failed to insert the LMA (37.5%). There were four complications (laryngospasm, vomiting, and SaO(2)90%) in the non-anaesthetic group (25% of patients), compared with none in the anaesthetic group (p=0.01).The airway component of an ALS course alone does not give adequate practical skills for non-anaesthetists to manage an airway in an anaesthetised patient. Airway management at a cardiac arrest is unlikely to be any better.

Concept Endotracheal intubation (ETI) is considered to be the gold standard of prehospital airway management. However, ETI requires substantial technical skills and ongoing experience. Because failed prehospital ETI is common and associated with a higher mortality, reliable airway devices are needed to be used by rescuers less experienced in ETI. We prospectively evaluated the feasibility of laryngeal tubes used by paramedics and emergency physicians for out-of-hospital airway management. Material and methods During a 24-month period, all cases of prehospital use of the laryngeal tube disposable (LT-D) and laryngeal tube suction disposable (LTS-D) within five operational areas of emergency medical services were recorded by a standardised questionnaire. We determined indications for laryngeal tube use, placement success, number of placement attempts, placement time and personal level of experience. Results Of 157 prehospital intubation attempts with the LT-D/LTS-D, 152 (96.8%) were successfully performed by paramedics ( n =70) or emergency physicians ( n =87). The device was used as initial airway ( n =87) or rescue device after failed ETI ( n =70). The placement time was ≤45s ( n =120), 46–90s ( n =20) and >90s ( n =7). In five cases the time needed was not specified. The number of placement attempts was one ( n =123), two ( n =25), three ( n =2) and more than three ( n =2). The majority of users (61.1%) were relative novices with no more than five previous laryngeal tube placements. Conclusion The LT-D/LTS-D represents a reliable tool for prehospital airway management in the hands of both paramedics and emergency physicians. It can be used as an initial tool to secure the airway until ETI is prepared, as a definitive airway by rescuers less experienced with ETI or as a rescue device when ETI has failed.

Study aim We present a pilot study in which we use an ovine model to develop a rapid, safe cricothyrotomy technique using a Melker cuffed 5.0 cricothyrotomy catheter loaded over a fiberoptic stainless steel optical stylet. The technique requires a single incision. The stylet allows easy placement and facilitates visual, tactile, and transillumination confirmation of intratracheal placement. We recorded this process on video to facilitate the development of the procedure and to allow others to replicate it for further research or refinement. All devices used in this technique are currently employed in clinical practice. Methods We performed the procedure in four anesthetized sheep, varying the technique to maximize speed, demonstrate pitfalls, and optimize video recording of confirmation methods. We recorded each case using a 4-channel digital video recorder. Results After making a single scalpel incision we inserted the stylet and confirmed placement by visualization, transillumination, “click” palpation, and gentle stylet-driven tracheal displacement. We passed the cricothyrotomy tubes without difficulty and easily ventilated the animals. Conclusion The procedure is rapid, incorporates redundant safety features, and uses equipment increasingly available to anesthesiologists, emergency physicians, intensivists and surgeons. The promising outcome of this pilot study should be verified in a larger controlled, comparative trial.

Objective Difficult paediatric airways, both expected and unexpected, present major challenges to every anaesthesiologist, paediatrician and emergency physician. However, the integration of supraglottic airway devices, such as the laryngeal mask (LM), into the algorithm of difficult airways has improved the handling of difficult airway situations in patients. A recent device for establishing a supraglottic airway is the laryngeal tube, introduced in 1999. We report on the successful use of the laryngeal tube suction II (LTS II) in securing the airway when endotracheal intubation or alternative mask ventilation has failed. Methods The use of the LTS II in 10 cases of difficult airway management in neonates and infants Results Use of the LTS II was associated with a high level of success (100%), often rescuing the airway when other techniques had failed. All insertions were successful on first attempt using a modified insertion technique. Placement was classified as “easy” by all users. Conclusions The potential advantage of the LTS II is the suction port which allows gastric tube placement and subsequent egression of gastric contents. In emergency situations when direct laryngoscopy fails, or is too time-consuming because of anatomical abnormalities, we recommend the LTS II tube as the first-line device to secure the airway. As with all supraglottic airways, familiarity and clinical experience with the respective device and its insertion technique is essential for safe and successful use, especially in emergencies.

While airway and ventilatory compromise are significant concerns following traumatic brain injury (TBI), there is little data supporting an aggressive approach to airway management by prehospital personnel, and a growing number of reports suggesting an association between early intubation and increased mortality. Recent clinical and experimental data suggest that hyperventilation is an important contributor to these adverse outcomes in TBI patients. Various mechanisms appear to be responsible for the worsened outcomes, including hemodynamic, cerebrovascular, immunologic and cellular effects. Here, relevant experimental and clinical data regarding the impact of ventilation on TBI are reviewed. In addition, experimental data regarding potential mechanisms for the adverse effects of hyperventilation and hypocapnia on the injured brain are presented. Finally, the limited data regarding the impact of hypoventilation and hypercapnia on outcome from TBI are discussed.

Contains fulltext : 71023.pdf (Publisher’s version ) (Closed access) OBJECTIVE: To determine the incidence and success rate of out-of-hospital tracheal intubation (TI) and ventilation of children, taking account of the type of healthcare provider involved. METHODS: A prospective observational study to analyse a consecutive group of children for which a helicopter-transported medical team (HMT) was called. In all cases, the emergency medical service (EMS)-paramedics arrived at the scene first. Data regarding type of incident, physiological parameters, treatment, and survival until hospital discharge were collected and subsequently analysed. RESULTS: Of the 300 children examined and treated by the HMT on scene, 155 (52%) children required out-of-hospital tracheal intubation. Ninety-five children had an initial Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS) rating of 3-4: the EMS-paramedics performed bag-valve-mask-ventilation (BVMV) until arrival with subsequent TI carried out by the HMT (54 children, survival 63%) or the EMS-paramedics performed TI themselves (41 children, subsequent correction of tube/ventilation by HMT in 37% and survival rate 5%). Two hundred and five children had an initial GCS of 5-15, from which 60 children required TI (survival rate 67%) and 145 children required no TI (survival rate 100%). CONCLUSION: We do not recommend early TI by EMS-paramedics in children with a GCS of 3-4. The rate of complications of this procedure is unacceptably high. BVMV is the preferred choice for ventilation by paramedics, whenever possible. Out-of-hospital TI performed by HMT is safe and effective. The HMT has skills in advanced airway management not provided by the EMS.

The currently recommended method for rescue breathing in people who have had a laryngectomy is mouth-to-stoma. Even if they know what to do, by-standers are likely to find this technique unhygienic and therefore unacceptable. There is no equivalent of the pocket face mask for laryngectomees. This paper describes the practical differences that affect rescue breathing in patients with laryngectomy stomas and proposes a new use of a tracheal tube for rescue breathing in laryngectomees. Ten patients with permanent tracheal stomas scheduled for ENT surgery were ventilated successfully through a tracheal tube with the cuff applied to the outside of their tracheal stomas, following induction of anaesthesia and before the start of surgery. Observations of oxygen saturation, end-tidal carbon dioxide, expired tidal volume and chest movements were within acceptable limits. This device was simple to use and is hygienic and inexpensive. Laryngectomees' relatives, friends or carers with minimal training could use the tube in a mouth-to-tube-to-stoma technique should the need for rescue breathing arise. It could also be used by paramedic and medical staff in a mouth or bag-to-tube-to-stoma technique until a definitive airway can be inserted.

Introduction: We studied how effectively a mixed group of helpers could ventilate a manikin with a new rescue breathing device after a short period of instruction. The device consists of a mouthcap, a “glossopalatinal tube” (GPT) reaching between tongue and palate and a connector for a bag, ventilator or the rescuers mouth. Rather than reaching behind the tongue like an oropharyngeal airway (OP), it is able to scoop the tongue off the posterior pharyngeal wall when tilted by the rescuer. It was compared with a conventional face mask with an OP. Methods: The study made use of an anaesthesia simulator (MedSim Ltd., Israel) and a manikin. 46 subjects with different professional backgrounds (anaesthesia nurses, medical students, emergency medical technicians (EMTs), physicians training for anaesthesiology) underwent a standard introduction to the GPT and OP (lecture with demonstration on an intubation trainer, illustrated brochure). They ventilated the manikin for 5 min each using the bag plus GPT and the OP plus face mask, respectively, in random order after the simulator had been made apnoeic and the simulated arterial oxygen saturation (S aO 2 ) had dropped to 80%. The actions and the results (tidal volumes (V t ), S aO 2 ) were recorded on video. The subjects graded difficulty of operation and fatigue on a visual analogue scale (VAS). Results and conclusions: Mean V t with the OP plus mask amounted to 463 (230–688 ml), with GPT to 426 (243–610 ml) (median [10–90% percentiles]) ( P =0.047). No differences were observed with respect to the time a S aO 2 ≥90% was maintained (OP plus mask: 255 (139–266 s), GPT: 255 (90–269 s)) or the grades for fatigue (OP plus mask: 58% of VAS, GPT: 48% of VAS, median) and difficulty (OP plus mask: 16% of VAS, GPT: 21% of VAS). Performance and grades were scattered over a wide range. Success with the two devices was correlated, but the subjects judgement tended to diverge. The GPT is an easy to learn alternative to conventional devices and might be helpful in clinical emergencies, including situations of unexpectedly difficult ventilation.

We studied a new rescue breathing device consisting of a mouthcap and a "glossopalatinal" tube reaching between tongue and palate (the "GPT"), with a connector for a bag, ventilator or rescuers mouth. By tilting the connector in a cranial direction, the tongue can be "scooped" out of the hypopharynx. The study was to test the efficacy and the ease of application of the GPT in anaesthetised patients. It was compared with a conventional face mask with and without an oropharyngeal (OP) airway.19 patients (ethics committee approval, informed consent) anaesthetised for elective surgery were ventilated using an anaesthesia circuit and Ventilog (Draeger) through the GPT and via a face mask (Laerdal) with and without an OP tube. Flow and pressures at the airway opening, in the hypopharynx and the trachea were measured, and the resistance was derived. In addition, the relations of the devices to the anatomical structures were visualised by fibrescope, and ease of operation and fit on the face were scored.Inspiratory resistance with the GPT and mask did not differ (1.31+/-0.96 vs. 1.38+/-0.66 kPa s/l at 1 l/s, mean+/-standard deviation (S.D.); reduction of resistance by "scooping" the tongue through angulation of the GPT (to 0.64+/-0.32; P0.05 vs. GPT without angulation) was equivalent to that by an OP tube used with the mask (to 0.68+/-0.26; P0.05 vs. mask solo). Pharyngoscopy showed that the effectiveness of the GPT depended on the individual anatomy. The angulating motion caused some fatigue. The GPT is an alternative to established breathing adjuncts; despite not protruding into the pharynx it can enhance airway patency like an OP.

Tracheal intubation (ETI) is considered the method of choice for securing the airway and for providing effective ventilation during cardiac arrest. However, ETI requires skills which are difficult to maintain especially if practised infrequently. The laryngeal tube (LT) has been successfully tested and used in anaesthesia and in simulated cardiac arrest in manikins. To compare the initiation and success of ventilation with the LT, ETI and bag-valve mask (BVM) in a cardiac arrest scenario, 60 fire-fighter emergency medical technician (EMT) students formed teams of two rescuers at random and were allocated to use these devices. We found that the teams using the LT were able to initiate ventilation more rapidly than those performing ETI (P < 0.0001). The LT and ETI provided equal minute volumes of ventilation, which was significantly higher than that delivered with the BVM (P < 0.0001). Our data suggest that the LT may enable airway control more rapidly and as effectively as ETI, and compared to BVM, may provide better minute ventilation when used by inexperienced personnel.

We compared the laryngeal tube and the laryngeal mask in the ease of insertion, ventilation volume and the incidence of gastric insufflation by inexperienced personnel. In a randomized, cross-over design, each of 28 students of a Fire Defense Academy attempted to insert the laryngeal tube and laryngeal mask in turn using an airway management trainer manikin. A self-inflating bag (2000 ml) was attached and ventilation volume was measured. The number of attempts at the insertion and the presence or absence of gastric insufflation were also recorded. After completion of the study, each student was asked whether insertion of one device was easier than the other. All 28 students could insert the laryngeal tube at the first attempt. As for the laryngeal mask, 27 could insert it at the first attempt, whereas the remaining one student could insert it after two attempts. The tidal volume was significantly greater for the laryngeal tube (median 842 ml) than the laryngeal mask (median 716 ml) (95%CI for median difference: 10-116 ml; P < 0.02). The incidence of gastric insufflation was significantly lower for the laryngeal tube (2 times) than for the laryngeal mask (10 times) (P < 0.05). Twenty six of 28 students stated that insertion of the laryngeal tube was easier than insertion of the laryngeal mask, whereas the remaining two stated that there was no difference in the ease of insertion between two devices. Therefore, the laryngeal tube has a potential role in providing a clear airway during cardiopulmonary resuscitation.

The 1998 ERC-guidelines for airway-management recommend an tidal volume of 400-600 ml for adults undergoing CPR. As commercially available self-inflating bags were designed to meet former recommendations (800-1200 ml) we investigated how to meet the latest recommendations with these bags. We combined the head of a training manikin (Laerdal Medical) and a standard lung (VTTL; Michigan Instrument), adjusted to a physiological compliance and resistance. Volume was measured with a Wright spirometer (BOC). Seven self-inflating bags were investigated. Tests were carried out by ten people (five female and five male) for 5 min each using two different techniques. Technique 1: standard ventilation with one hand without compression of the self-inflating bag against the rescuers knee. Technique 2: modified open palm technique with total squeezing of the self-inflating bag by compression against the rescuers knee. The average tidal volumes for technique 1 ranged from 438 to 604 ml. Applying technique 2 the volumes ranged from 888 to 1192 ml. The latest recommendations were met using a single hand technique without compression against the rescuers knee for all seven bags tested. The modified open palm technique produced larger tidal volumes which were more in line with previous recommendations.

This case report describes difficulty with ventilation because of valve-like upper airway obstruction by aryepiglottic folds after uncomplicated insertion of a Combitube™ in a 30-year-old female patient. After correct (oesophageal) placement increased ventilation pressures occurred and a fibreoptic device was used to investigate the cause. Valve-like obstruction was discovered and subsequently observed during controlled ventilation. After removal of the Combitube™ and mask ventilation no valve mechanism was seen. This effect appeared to be due to an increased air stream caused by the obstruction of seven out of eight Combitube™ perforations.

During cardiac arrest calls in hospitals, the first doctor on scene s often not airway trained, there me be a delay of several mintes. This delay is often exacerbated by large hospital sites. At our rust we wanted to explore the capabilities of junior doctors in air ay management, with specific reference to Supraglottic Airway evices (SADs). The latest European Resuscitation Council (ERC) guidelines are lear that minimal interruption of Cardiopulmonary Resuscitaion (CPR) is essential. Supraglottic Airway Devices (SADs) can e inserted without interrupting chest compressions and permit synchronous compressions and ventilation, thus allowing more ffective CPR. Bag mask ventilation can be difficult and synchroizing with CPR can involve unacceptable delays and longer than esired pauses of CPR.SAD insertion ease and speed are important actors in deciding what to have on resuscitation trolleys. Our study examined how Foundation Year 1 Trainees would pproach SAD’s without any prior notification when asked to venilate a manikin. 21 F1 doctors were asked to attempt to ventilate a anikin with either an LMA or an i-gel. This was timed from openng the packaging to first ventilation. This was then repeated this ith the other SAD. We then provided half an hour of small group eaching on SADs and airway management.