Video Laryngoscopy Improves Odds of First-Attempt Success at Intubation in the Intensive Care Unit. A Propensity-matched Analysis

Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials (RCTs) Revealing the Future of Airway Management: Video Laryngoscopy vs. Macintosh Laryngoscopy for Enhanced Clinical Outcomes

Since the 1940s, Macintosh laryngoscopy (Mac laryngoscopy) has been the gold standard for tracheal intubation, offering visualization of the glottis entrance. However, recent years have witnessed the emergence of various video laryngoscopy (VL) techniques. This systematic review and meta-analysis aims to assess the clinical outcomes of VL versus Mac laryngoscopy in an elective setting. We comprehensively searched five medical databases - PubMed, EMBASE, Medline, Cochrane Library, and Web of Science. All the databases were last searched in January 2023. We only included studies with full texts comparing VL to Mac laryngoscopy clinical outcomes. Studies were excluded if they were non-full text or non-randomized controlled trials (RCTs) and did not compare VL to Mac laryngoscopy. We extracted data comprising author names, publication year, key study outcomes (first-attempt intubation success rate, Cormack and Lehane grade, hypoxia incidence, and glottis view quality), video laryngoscope types, and sample sizes of both VL and Mac laryngoscopy groups. The Cochrane risk of bias tool was used to assess the risk of bias in the included studies. Statistical analysis was performed using Review Manager (RevMan, version 5.4; Cochrane Collaboration, London, UK), presenting results as odds ratio (OR) and risk ratios (RR) at a 95% confidence interval (CI). This facilitated the identification of relevant and appropriate studies of our analysis. The search produced 19 studies that were included in this review. The evaluated sample size ranges from 40 to 802, with 3,238 participants. The rate of success at the first attempt in the use of VL was 1,558/1,890 (82.43%), while the success rate for Mac laryngoscopy was 982/1,348 (72.85%; OR: 1.98 (1.25, 3.12)) at a 95% confidence interval. Pooled analysis indicated no significant difference for hypoxia concerning the type of device used RR (random effects: 1.02; 95% CI: 0.80-1.29). A video laryngoscope had a higher likelihood of visualizing the vocal cords categorized as category 1 in the Cormack-Lehane system of classification (RR: 2.45; 95% CI: 1.43-4.21). Additionally, considerably better glottis views were attained during VL than Mac laryngoscopy (OR: 1.77; 95% CI: 1.19-2.62). In elective tracheal intubation, VL demonstrates superior first-attempt success rates, offers improved glottis visualization, and reduces instances where the glottis cannot be viewed compared to Mac laryngoscopy.

Characterizing intubation practices in response to the COVID-19 pandemic: a survey of the Canadian COVID-19 Emergency Department Rapid Response Network (CCEDRRN) sites

OBJECTIVE

The risk of occupational exposure during endotracheal intubation has required the global Emergency Medicine (EM), Anesthesia, and Critical Care communities to institute new COVID- protected intubation guidelines, checklists, and protocols. This survey aimed to deepen the understanding of the changes in intubation practices across Canada by evaluating the pre-COVID-19, early-COVID-19, and present-day periods, elucidating facilitators and barriers to implementation, and understanding provider impressions of the effectiveness and safety of the changes made.

METHODS

We conducted an electronic, self-administered, cross-sectional survey of EM physician site leads within the Canadian COVID-19 Emergency Department Rapid Response Network (CCEDRRN) to characterize and compare airway management practices in the pre-COVID-19, early-COVID-19, and present-day periods. Ethics approval for this study was obtained from the University of Manitoba Health Research Ethics Board. The electronic platform SurveyMonkey ( www.surveymonkey.com ) was used to collect and store survey tool responses. Categorical item responses, including the primary outcome, are reported as numbers and proportions. Variations in intubation practices over time were evaluated through mixed-effects logistic regression models.

RESULTS

Invitations were sent to 33 emergency department (ED) physician site leads in the CCEDRRN. We collected 27 survey responses, 4 were excluded, and 23 analysed. Responses were collected in English (87%) and French (13%), from across Canada and included mainly physicians practicing in mainly Academic and tertiary sites (83%). All respondents reported that the intubation protocols used in their EDs changed in response to the COVID-19 pandemic (100%, n = 23, 95% CI 0.86-1.00).

CONCLUSIONS

This study provides a novel summary of changes to airway management practices in response to the evolving COVID-19 pandemic in Canada. Information from this study could help inform a consensus on safe and effective emergent intubation of persons with communicable respiratory infections in the future.

Comparison of Force During the Endotracheal Intubation of Commercial Simulation Manikins

Background  Medical simulation allows clinicians to safely practice the procedural skill of endotracheal intubation. Applied force to oropharyngeal structures increases the risk of patient harm, and video laryngoscopy (VL) requires less force to obtain a glottic view. It is unknown how much force is required to obtain a glottic view using commercially available simulation manikins and if variability exists. This study compares laryngoscopy force for a modified Cormack-Lehane (CL) grade I view in both normal and difficult airway scenarios between three commercially available simulation manikins. Methods Experienced clinicians (≥2 years experience) were recruited to participate from critical care, emergency medicine, and anesthesia specialties. A C-MAC size 3 VL blade was equipped with five force resistor reading (FSR) sensors (four concave surfaces, one convex), measuring resistance (Ohms) in response to applied pressure (1-100 Newtons). The study occurred in a university simulation lab. Using a randomized sequence, 49 physicians performed intubations on three manikins (Laerdal SimMan 3GPlus, Gaumard Hal S3201, CAE Apollo) in normal and difficult airway scenarios. The outcomes were sensor mean pressure, peak force, and CL grade. Summary statistics were calculated. Generalized estimating equations (GEEs) conducted for both scenarios assessed changes in pressure measured in three manikins while accounting for correlated responses of individuals assigned in random order. Paired t-test assessed for the in-manikin difference between scenarios. STATA/BE v17 (R) was used for analysis; results interpreted at type I error alpha is 0.05.  Results Participants included 49 experienced clinicians. Mean years' experience was 4(±6.6); median prior intubations were 80 (IQR 50-400). Mean individual sensor pressure varied within scenarios depending on manikin (p<0.001). Higher mean forces were used in difficult scenarios (603.4±128.9, 611.1±101.4, 467.5±72.4 FSR) than normal (462.5±121.9, 596.0±90.5, 290.6±63.2 FSR) for each manikin (p<0.001). All manikins required more peak force in the difficult scenario (p<0.03). The highest mean forces (Laerdal, CAE, difficult scenario) were associated with the higher frequency of grade 2A views (p<0.001). The Gaumard manikin was rated most realistic in terms of force required to intubate. Conclusion Commercially available high-fidelity manikins had significant variability in laryngoscopy force in both normal and difficult airway scenarios. In difficult airway scenarios, significant variability existed in CL grade between manikin brands. Experienced clinicians rated Gaumard Hal as the most realistic force applied during endotracheal intubation.

Preventing unrecognized esophageal intubation in the emergency department

Tracheal intubation is a commonly performed procedure on critically ill patients in the emergency department. It is associated with many serious complications, one of the most dangerous being unrecognized esophageal intubation, which can result in anoxic brain injury, cardiac arrest, or death. It is the responsibility of the emergency physician to do everything possible to avoid this devastating complication. Preventing unrecognized esophageal intubation requires a two-pronged approach. First, the inadvertent placement of intended tracheal tubes into the esophagus must be reduced as much as is humanly possible. This can be achieved with the routine use of video laryngoscopes for emergency department intubations. Numerous studies have demonstrated that use of video laryngoscopes can significantly reduce the occurrence of esophageal intubation, presumably by providing an improved view of the larynx. Second, if an esophageal intubation inadvertently occurs, it must be rapidly identified and appropriately addressed. The cornerstone of rapid identification is the use of continuous waveform capnography to detect exhaled carbon dioxide. Capnography has been shown to be the most accurate method to determine tube placement after intubation. Standard clinical examinations, for example, auscultation of breath sounds, visualization of chest excursion, and observation of condensation in the tube, have all been demonstrated in studies to be unreliable and thus should not be used to exclude esophageal intubation. Recently, the Project for Universal Management of Airways, an international collaborative of airway experts from anesthesiology, critical care and emergency medicine, published evidence-based guidelines to specifically address the issue of preventing unrecognized esophageal intubation. These guidelines, which have received endorsement from several prominent airway societies, including the Society for Airway Management, the Difficult Airway Society, and the European Airway Management Society, will be briefly discussed in this review.

Pro-Con Debate: Videolaryngoscopy Should Be Standard of Care for Tracheal Intubation

In this Pro-Con commentary article, we discuss whether videolaryngoscopy (VL) should be the standard of care for tracheal intubation. Dr Aziz makes the case that VL should be the standard of care, while Dr Berkow follows with a challenge of that assertion. In this debate, we explore not only the various benefits of VL, but also its limitations. There is compelling evidence that VL improves first-pass success rates, reduces the risk of intubation failure and esophageal intubation, and has benefits in the difficult airway patient. But VL is not without complications and does not possess a 100% success rate. In the case of failure, it is important to have back-up plans for airway management. While transition of care from direct laryngoscopy (DL) to VL may result in improved airway management outcomes, the reliance on VL may degrade other important clinical skills when they are needed most. If VL is adapted as the standard of care, airway managers may no longer practice and retain competency in other airway techniques that may be required in the event of VL failure. While cost is a barrier to broad implementation of VL, those costs are normalizing. However, it may still be challenging for institutions to secure purchase of VL for every intubating location, as well as back-up airway devices. As airway management care increasingly transitions from DL to VL, providers should be aware of the benefits and risks to this practice change.

Effect of inclined positioning on first-pass success during endotracheal intubation: a systematic review and meta-analysis

BACKGROUND

Endotracheal intubation is a high-risk procedure. Optimisation of all aspects of the procedure, including patient positioning, is important to facilitate success and minimise complications. The objective of this systematic review was to determine the association between inclined patient positioning and first-pass success and other clinically important outcomes among patients undergoing endotracheal intubation.

METHODS

A search of PubMed, CINAHL, SCOPUS, EMBASE and Cochrane, from inception through October 2020 was conducted. Studies were assessed independently by two authors to determine eligibility for inclusion. Included studies were any randomised or observational study that compared supine to inclined patient positioning for endotracheal intubation and assessed one of our predefined outcomes. Simulation studies were excluded. Study results were meta-analysed using a random effects model. The quality of the evidence for outcomes of interest was assessed using the Grading of Recommendations, Assessment, Development and Evaluations approach.

RESULTS

A total of 5113 studies were identified, of which 10 studies representing 18 371 intubations were included for meta-analysis. There was no statistically significant difference in the primary outcome of first-pass success rate (relative risk 1.02, 95% CI 0.98 to 1.05) or secondary outcomes of oesophageal intubation, glottic view, hypotension, hypoxaemia, mortality or peri-intubation arrest. Likewise, there were no statistically significant differences in any of the outcomes in predefined subgroup analyses of randomised controlled trials, intubations in acute settings or intubations performed with >45 degrees of incline. Overall quality of evidence was rated as low or very low for most outcomes.

CONCLUSIONS

This systematic review and meta-analysis found no evidence of benefit or harm with inclined versus supine patient positioning during endotracheal intubation in any setting.

Emergency airway management in a tertiary trauma centre (AIRMAN): a one-year prospective longitudinal study

PURPOSE

Emergency airway management can be associated with a range of complications including long-term neurologic injury and death. We studied the first-pass success rate with emergency airway management in a tertiary care trauma centre. Secondary outcomes were to identify factors associated with first-pass success and factors associated with adverse events peri-intubation.

METHODS

We performed a single-centre, prospective, observational study of patients ≥ 17 yr old who were intubated in the emergency department (ED), surgical intensive care unit (SICU), medical intensive care unit (MICU), and inpatient wards at our institution. Ethics approval was obtained from the local research ethics board.

RESULTS

In a seven-month period, there were 416 emergency intubations and a first-pass success rate of 73.1%. The first-pass success rates were 57.5% on the ward, 66.1% in the intensive care units (ICUs) and 84.3% in the ED. Equipment also varied by location; videolaryngoscopy use was 65.1% in the ED and only 10.6% on wards. A multivariate regression model using the least absolute shrinkage and selection algorithm (LASSO) showed that the odds ratios for factors associated with two or more intubation attempts were location (wards, 1.23; MICU, 1.24; SICU, 1.19; reference group, ED), physiologic instability (1.19), an anatomically difficult airway (1.05), hypoxemia (1.98), lack of neuromuscular blocker use (2.28), and intubator inexperience (1.41).

CONCLUSIONS

First-pass success rates varied widely between locations within the hospital and were less than those published from similar institutions, except for the ED. We are revamping ICU protocols to improve the first-pass success rate.

A prospective observational study comparing outcomes before and after the introduction of an intubation protocol during the COVID-19 pandemic

OBJECTIVE

Orotracheal intubation is a life-saving procedure commonly performed in the Intensive Care unit and Emergency Department as a part of emergency airway management. Prior to the COVID-19 pandemic, our center undertook a prospective observational study to characterize emergency intubation performed in the emergency department and critical care settings at Manitoba's largest tertiary hospital. During this study, a natural experiment emerged when a standardized "COVID-Protected Rapid Sequence Intubation Protocol" was implemented in response to the pandemic. The resultant study aimed to answer the question; in adult ED patients undergoing emergent intubation by EM and CCM teams, does the use of a "COVID-Protected Rapid Sequence Intubation Protocol" impact first-pass success or other intubation-related outcomes?

METHODS

A single-center prospective quasi-experimental before and after study was conducted. Data were prospectively collected on consecutive emergent intubations. The primary outcome was the difference in first-pass success rates. Secondary outcomes included best Modified Cormack-Lehane view, hypoxemia, hypotension, esophageal intubation, cannot intubate cannot oxygenate scenarios, CPR post intubation, vasopressors required post intubation, Intensive Care Unit (ICU) mortality, ICU length of stay (LOS), and mechanical ventilation days.

RESULTS

Data were collected on 630 patients, 416 in the pre-protocol period and 214 in the post-protocol period. First-pass success rates in the pre-protocol period were found to be 73.1% (n = 304). Following the introduction of the protocol, first-pass success rates increased to 82.2% (n = 176, p = 0.0105). There was a statistically significant difference in Modified Cormack-Lehane view favoring the protocol (p = 0.0191). Esophageal intubation rates were found to be 5.1% pre-protocol introduction versus 0.5% following the introduction of the protocol (p = 0.0172).

CONCLUSION

A "COVID-Protected Protocol" implemented by Emergency Medicine and Critical Care teams in response to the COVID-19 pandemic was associated with increased first-pass success rates and decreases in adverse events.

Preventing unrecognised oesophageal intubation: a consensus guideline from the Project for Universal Management of Airways and international airway societies

Across multiple disciplines undertaking airway management globally, preventable episodes of unrecognised oesophageal intubation result in profound hypoxaemia, brain injury and death. These events occur in the hands of both inexperienced and experienced practitioners. Current evidence shows that unrecognised oesophageal intubation occurs sufficiently frequently to be a major concern and to merit a co-ordinated approach to address it. Harm from unrecognised oesophageal intubation is avoidable through reducing the rate of oesophageal intubation, combined with prompt detection and immediate action when it occurs. The detection of 'sustained exhaled carbon dioxide' using waveform capnography is the mainstay for excluding oesophageal placement of an intended tracheal tube. Tube removal should be the default response when sustained exhaled carbon dioxide cannot be detected. If default tube removal is considered dangerous, urgent exclusion of oesophageal intubation using valid alternative techniques is indicated, in parallel with evaluation of other causes of inability to detect carbon dioxide. The tube should be removed if timely restoration of sustained exhaled carbon dioxide cannot be achieved. In addition to technical interventions, strategies are required to address cognitive biases and the deterioration of individual and team performance in stressful situations, to which all practitioners are vulnerable. These guidelines provide recommendations for preventing unrecognised oesophageal intubation that are relevant to all airway practitioners independent of geography, clinical location, discipline or patient type.

The use of video laryngoscopy outside the operating room: A systematic review

This study aimed to describe how video laryngoscopy is used outside the operating room within the hospital setting. Specifically, we aimed to summarise the evidence for the use of video laryngoscopy outside the operating room, and detail how it appears in current clinical practice guidelines. A literature search was conducted across two databases (MEDLINE and Embase), and all articles underwent screening for relevance to our aims and pre-determined exclusion criteria. Our results include 14 clinical practice guidelines, 12 interventional studies, 38 observational studies. Our results show that video laryngoscopy is likely to improve glottic view and decrease the incidence of oesophageal intubations; however, it remains unclear as to how this contributes to first-pass success, overall intubation success and clinical outcomes such as mortality outside the operating room. Furthermore, our results indicate that the appearance of video laryngoscopy in clinical practice guidelines has increased in recent years, and particularly through the COVID-19 pandemic. Current COVID-19 airway management guidelines unanimously introduce video laryngoscopy as a first-line (rather than rescue) device.

Obesity and Coronavirus Disease 2019

The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has brought severe challenges to global public health. Many studies have shown that obesity plays a vital role in the occurrence and development of COVID-19. Obesity exacerbates COVID-19, leading to increased intensive care unit hospitalization rate, high demand for invasive mechanical ventilation, and high mortality. The mechanisms of interaction between obesity and COVID-19 involve inflammation, immune response, changes in pulmonary dynamics, disruptions of receptor ligands, and dysfunction of endothelial cells. Therefore, for obese patients with COVID-19, the degree of obesity and related comorbidities should be evaluated. Treatment methods such as administration of anticoagulants and anti-inflammatory drugs like glucocorticoids and airway management should be actively initiated. We should also pay attention to long-term prognosis and vaccine immunity and actively address the physical and psychological problems caused by longterm staying-at-home during the pandemic. The present study summarized the research to investigate the role of obesity in the incidence and progression of COVID-19 and the psychosocial impact and treatment options for obese patients with COVID-19, to guide the understanding and management of the disease.

Impact of multiple intubation attempts on adverse tracheal intubation associated events in neonates: a report from the NEAR4NEOS

OBJECTIVE

To determine the relationship between number of attempts and adverse events during neonatal intubation.

STUDY DESIGN

A retrospective study of prospectively collected data of intubations in the delivery room and NICU from the National Emergency Airway Registry for Neonates (NEAR4NEOS) in 17 academic centers from 1/2016 to 12/2019. We examined the association between tracheal intubation attempts [1, 2, and ≥3 (multiple attempts)] and clinical adverse outcomes (any tracheal intubation associated events (TIAE), severe TIAE, and severe oxygen desaturation).

RESULTS

Of 7708 intubations, 1474 (22%) required ≥3 attempts. Patient, provider, and practice factors were associated with higher TI attempts. Increasing intubation attempts was independently associated with a higher risk for TIAE. The adjusted odds ratio for TIAE and severe oxygen desaturation were significantly higher in TIs with 2 and ≥3 attempts than with one attempt.

CONCLUSION

The risk of adverse safety events during intubation increases with the number of intubation attempts.

A prospective observational study of video laryngoscopy-guided coaching in the pediatric intensive care unit

BACKGROUND

There are limited data on the use of video laryngoscopy for pediatric patients outside of the operating room.

AIM

Our primary aim was to evaluate whether implementation of video laryngoscopy-guided coaching for tracheal intubation is feasible with a high level of compliance and associated with a reduction in adverse tracheal intubation-associated events.

METHODS

This is a pre-post observational study of video laryngoscopy implementation with standardized coaching language for tracheal intubation in a single-center, pediatric intensive care unit. The use of video laryngoscopy as a coaching device with standardized coaching language was implemented as a part of practice improvement. All patients in the pediatric intensive care unit were included between January 2016 and December 2017 who underwent primary tracheal intubation with either video laryngoscopy or direct laryngoscopy. The uptake of the implementation, sustained compliance, tracheal intubation outcomes including all adverse tracheal intubation-associated events, oxygen desaturations (<80% SpO2), and first attempt success were measured.

RESULTS

Among 580 tracheal intubations, 284 (49%) were performed during the preimplementation phase, and 296 (51%) postimplementation. Compliance for the use of video laryngoscopy with standardized coaching language was high (74% postimplementation) and sustained. There were no statistically significant differences in adverse tracheal intubation-associated events between the two phases (pre- 9% vs. post- 5%, absolute difference -3%, CI95 : -8% to 1%, p = .11), oxygen desaturations <80% (pre- 13% vs. post- 13%, absolute difference 1%, CI95 : -6% to 5%, p = .75), or first attempt success (pre- 73% vs. post- 76%, absolute difference 4%, CI95 : -3% to 11%, p = .29). Supervisors were more likely to use the standardized coaching language when video laryngoscopy was used for tracheal intubation than with standard direct laryngoscopy (80% vs. 43%, absolute difference 37%, CI95 : 23% to 51%, p < .001).

CONCLUSIONS

Implementation of video laryngoscopy as a supervising device with standardized coaching language was feasible with high level of adherence, yet not associated with an increased occurrence of any adverse tracheal intubation-associated events and oxygen desaturation.

Direct vs Video Laryngoscopy for Difficult Airway Patients in the Emergency Department: A National Emergency Airway Registry Study

Introduction: Previous studies suggest improved intubation success using video laryngoscopy (VL) vs direct laryngoscopy (DL), yet recent randomized trials have not shown clear benefit of one method over the other. These studies, however, have generally excluded difficult airways and rapid sequence intubation. In this study we looked to compare first-pass success (FPS) rates between VL and DL in adult emergency department (ED) patients with difficult airways. Methods: We conducted a secondary analysis of prospectively collected observational data in the National Emergency Airway Registry (NEAR) (January 2016–December 2018). Variables included demographics, indications, methods, medications, devices, difficult airway characteristics, success, and adverse events. We included adult ED patients intubated with VL or DL who had difficult airways identified by gestalt or anatomic predictors. We stratified VL by hyperangulated (HAVL) vs standard geometry VL (SGVL). The primary outcome was FPS, and the secondary outcome was comparison of adverse event rates between groups. Data analyses included descriptive statistics with cluster-adjusted 95% confidence intervals (CI). Results: Of 18,123 total intubations, 12,853 had a predicted or identified anatomically difficult airway. The FPS for difficult airways was 89.1% (95% CI 85.9-92.3) with VL and 77.7% (95% CI 75.7-79.7) with DL (P <0.00001). The FPS rates were similar between VL subtypes for all difficult airway characteristics except airways with blood or vomit, where SGVL FPS (87.3%; 95% CI 85.8-88.8) was slightly better than HAVL FPS (82.4%; 95% CI, 80.3-84.4). Adverse event rates were similar except for esophageal intubations and vomiting, which were both less common in VL than DL. Esophageal intubations occurred in 0.4% (95% CI 0.1-0.7) of VL attempts and 1.5% (95% CI 1.1-1.9) of DL attempts. Vomiting occurred in 0.6% (95% CI 0.5-0.7) of VL attempts and 1.4% (95% CI 0.9-1.9) of DL attempts. Conclusion: Analysis of the NEAR database demonstrates higher first-pass success with VL compared to DL in patients with predicted or anatomically difficult airways, and reduced rate of esophageal intubations and vomiting.

Video screen visualization patterns when using a video laryngoscope for tracheal intubation: A systematic review

OBJECTIVE

Published studies of video laryngoscopes are often limited by the lack of a clear definition of video laryngoscopy (VL). We performed a systematic review to determine how often published studies of VL report on video screen visualization.

METHODS

We searched PubMed, EMBASE and Scopus for interventional and observational studies in which a video laryngoscope equipped with a standard geometry blade was used for tracheal intubation. We excluded simulation based studies. Our primary outcome was data on video laryngoscope screen visualization. Secondary outcomes were explicit methodology for screen visualization.

RESULTS

We screened 4838 unique studies and included 207 (120 interventional and 87 observational). Only 21 studies (10% of 207) included any data on video screen visualization by the proceduralist, 19 in a yes/no fashion only (ie, screened viewed or not) and 2 with detail beyond whether the screen was viewed or not. In 11 more studies, visualization patterns could be inferred based on screen availability and in 16 more studies, the methods section stated how screen visualization was expected to be performed without reporting data collection on how the proceduralist interacted with the video screen. Risk of bias was high in the majority of included studies.

CONCLUSIONS

Published studies of VL, including many clinical trials, rarely include data on video screen visualization. Given the nuances of using a video laryngoscope, this is a critical deficiency, which largely prevents us from knowing the treatment effect of using a video laryngoscope in clinical practice. Future studies of VL must address this deficiency.

A Meta-Analysis on the Effectiveness of Video Laryngoscopy versus Laryngoscopy for Emergency Orotracheal Intubation

BACKGROUND

Video laryngoscopy has been associated with some orotracheal intubations and enhances the glottic view at time of laryngoscopy and the success rate of the intubation in patients from the emergency department and the intensive care unit. In usual cases, direct laryngoscopy is performed among the patients from the emergency department or the intensive care unit. In this systematic review and meta-analysis, we draw the comparison between the video laryngoscopy and direct laryngoscopy for the emergency orotracheal intubation.

OBJECTIVE

The objective of the study was to identify the clinical efficacy of video laryngoscopy versus laryngoscopy for emergency orotracheal intubation.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

MEDLINE, CENTRAL, EMBASE, and Web of Science databases were analyzed from 2003 to 2020. Keywords used for searching the studies were "laryngoscopy," "video laryngoscopy," "direct laryngoscopy," "emergency department," "intensive care unit," "orotracheal," "video laryngoscope," "glidescope," "airway scope," "airway," "Macintosh laryngoscopy," "airway management," "tracheal intubation," "orotracheal intubation," and "intubation."

RESULTS

The first-pass intubation success rates in the intensive care unit were low in video laryngoscopy with 95% CI 1.21 (1.13-1.30) and heterogeneity I2 = 78% favoring direct laryngoscopy nonsignificantly with low heterogeneity. Odds ratio for airway trauma or dental damage was 0.67, 95% CI (0.18-2.54), reported higher in video laryngoscopy. Complications with oesophageal laryngoscopy were higher in video laryngoscopy with risk ratio 0.16, 95% CI (0.09-0.29), odds ratio 0.88, 95% CI (0.65-1.18) for sever hypoxemia, risk ratio 1.53, 95% CI (1.02-2.28) for cardiovascular collapse, risk ratio with 95% CI 1.11 (0.59-2.07) for aspiration complications, and odds ratio 1.32, 95% CI (0.95, 1.85) for Inexperienced medical staff handling laryngoscopy.

CONCLUSION

No significant efficiency was noticed in using video laryngoscopy when compared with direct laryngoscopy with the available data. The data reported in studies are not enough for efficient clinical analysis of the benefits of using video laryngoscopy over direct laryngoscopy. Thus, information such as length of stay, mortality, sever complications, and length of hospital stay must be reported.

The Efficacy of O-Mac®, Patent Video Laryngoscope, and Conventional Laryngoscope for Intubation in the Operating Room

BACKGROUND: Management of the airway in patients undergoing surgery is increasingly difficult. The airway management in the operating room in terms of the initial action of anesthesia is very important. Video-laryngoscopy has been shown to provide a better view of the larynx’s structure compared to direct visualization. AIM: We describe our experience using a custom made and inexpensive tool for a video-laryngoscopy. METHODS: This is an experimental research with single randomized clinical trial conducted at the Anesthesiology Department of Sanglah General Hospital Denpasar. There were 270 patients divides into three group with conventional, O-Mac® and Mc-GRATH™ BF laryngoscope, aged 18–65 years old, with Mallampati grade 1–2, randomly selected, and signed informed consent. RESULTS: Intubation time fastest with O-Mac® median 26 (15–36) s, p = 0.000. Laryngoscopy time fastest with O-Mac® median 5.5 (2–13 s), p = 0.000. O-Mac® does not use many tools, p = 0.000. All three did not produce tissue damage with results p = 0.007. Hemodynamic changes p = 0.000. CONCLUSION: The O-Mac® is superior in terms of laryngoscope time and intubation time compared to the Mc-GRATH™ BF blade and has the same level of safety as the patented Mc-GRATH ™ video laryngoscope, and better than conventional laryngoscopes.

Complications during repeated tracheal intubation in the Intensive Care Unit. A prospective, observational study comparing the first intubation and the reintubation

BACKGROUND AND GOAL OF THE STUDY

The goal of the study was to compare the incidence of complications, technical difficulty of intubation and physiologic pre-intubation status between the first intubation and reintubation performed on the same patient in an ICU.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

The study was approved by the ethics committee of Galicia (Santiago-Lugo, code No. 2015-012). Due to the observational, noninterventional, and noninvasive design of this study, the need for written consent was waived by the ethics committee of Galicia. Patients requiring tracheal intubation and reintubation in the ICU were included in this prospective observational study. Main endpoint was to compare the incidence of complications, physiologic pre-intubation status, and the rate of technical difficulty of intubation between the first intubation and reintubation performed on the same patient in an ICU.

RESULTS AND DISCUSSION

504 patients were intubated in our ICU during the study period, and 82 (16%) required reintubation. There was no difference between the first intubation and reintubation regarding number of total complication (35% vs 33%; P = ,86), hypotension (24% vs 24%; P = 1), hypoxia (26% vs 26%; P = 1), esophageal intubation (1% vs 1%; P = 1), and bronchoaspiration (2% vs 1%; P = ,86). Physiologic pre-intubation status and technical difficulty of intubation did not differ between the first intubation and reintubation.

CONCLUSIONS

In our ICU patients requiring tracheal reintubation, incidence of complications, physiologic pre-intubation status, and technical difficulty of intubation did not differ between the first intubation and reintubation.

Impact of Videolaryngoscopy Expertise on First-Attempt Intubation Success in Critically Ill Patients

OBJECTIVES

The use of a videolaryngoscope in the ICU on the first endotracheal intubation attempt and intubation-related complications is controversial. The objective of this study was to evaluate the first intubation attempt success rate in the ICU with the McGrath MAC videolaryngoscope (Medtronic, Minneapolis, MN) according to the operators' videolaryngoscope expertise and to describe its association with the occurrence of intubation-related complications.

DESIGN

Observational study.

SETTING

Medical ICU.

SUBJECTS

Consecutive endotracheal intubations in critically ill patients.

INTERVENTIONS

Systematic use of the videolaryngoscope.

MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN OUTCOMES

We enrolled 202 consecutive endotracheal intubations. Overall first-attempt success rate was 126 of 202 (62%). Comorbidities, junior operator, cardiac arrest upon admission, and coma were associated with a lower first-attempt success rate. The first-attempt success rate was less than 50% in novice operators (1-5 previous experiences with videolaryngoscope, independently of airway expertise with direct laryngoscopies) and 87% in expert operators (> 15 previous experiences with videolaryngoscope). Multivariate analysis confirmed the association between specific skill training with videolaryngoscope and the first-attempt success rate. Severe hypoxemia and overall immediate intubation-related complications occurred more frequently in first-attempt failure intubations (24/76, 32%) than in first-attempt success intubations (14/126, 11%) (p < 0.001).

CONCLUSIONS

We report for the first time in the critically ill that specific videolaryngoscopy skill training, assessed by the number of previous videolaryngoscopies performed, is an independent factor of first-attempt intubation success. Furthermore, we observed that specific skill training with the McGrath MAC videolaryngoscope was fast. Therefore, future trials evaluating videolaryngoscopy in ICUs should consider the specific skill training of operators in videolaryngoscopy.

Canadian Airway Focus Group updated consensus-based recommendations for management of the difficult airway: part 1. Difficult airway management encountered in an unconscious patient

PURPOSE

Since the last Canadian Airway Focus Group (CAFG) guidelines were published in 2013, the literature on airway management has expanded substantially. The CAFG therefore re-convened to examine this literature and update practice recommendations. This first of two articles addresses difficulty encountered with airway management in an unconscious patient.

SOURCE

Canadian Airway Focus Group members, including anesthesia, emergency medicine, and critical care physicians, were assigned topics to search. Searches were run in the Medline, EMBASE, Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, and CINAHL databases. Results were presented to the group and discussed during video conferences every two weeks from April 2018 to July 2020. These CAFG recommendations are based on the best available published evidence. Where high-quality evidence was lacking, statements are based on group consensus.

FINDINGS AND KEY RECOMMENDATIONS

Most studies comparing video laryngoscopy (VL) with direct laryngoscopy indicate a higher first attempt and overall success rate with VL, and lower complication rates. Thus, resources allowing, the CAFG now recommends use of VL with appropriately selected blade type to facilitate all tracheal intubations. If a first attempt at tracheal intubation or supraglottic airway (SGA) placement is unsuccessful, further attempts can be made as long as patient ventilation and oxygenation is maintained. Nevertheless, total attempts should be limited (to three or fewer) before declaring failure and pausing to consider "exit strategy" options. For failed intubation, exit strategy options in the still-oxygenated patient include awakening (if feasible), temporizing with an SGA, a single further attempt at tracheal intubation using a different technique, or front-of-neck airway access (FONA). Failure of tracheal intubation, face-mask ventilation, and SGA ventilation together with current or imminent hypoxemia defines a "cannot ventilate, cannot oxygenate" emergency. Neuromuscular blockade should be confirmed or established, and a single final attempt at face-mask ventilation, SGA placement, or tracheal intubation with hyper-angulated blade VL can be made, if it had not already been attempted. If ventilation remains impossible, emergency FONA should occur without delay using a scalpel-bougie-tube technique (in the adult patient). The CAFG recommends all institutions designate an individual as "airway lead" to help institute difficult airway protocols, ensure adequate training and equipment, and help with airway-related quality reviews.

Comparison of adverse events between video and direct laryngoscopes for tracheal intubations in emergency department and ICU patients-a systematic review and meta-analysis

OBJECTIVE

This systematic review and meta-analysis was designed to determine whether video laryngoscope (VL) compared with direct laryngoscope (DL) could reduce the occurrence of adverse events associated with tracheal intubation in the emergency and ICU patients.

METHODS

The current issue of Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, PubMed, EMBASE, and Web of Science (from database inception to October 30, 2018) were searched. The RCTs, quasi-RCTs, observational studies comparing VL and DL for tracheal intubation in emergency or ICU patients and reporting the rates of adverse events were included. The primary outcome was the rate of esophageal intubation (EI). Review Manager 5.3 software was used to perform the pooled analysis and assess the risk of bias for each eligible RCT. The ACROBAT-NRSi Cochrane Risk of Bias Tool was applied to assess the risk of bias for each eligible observational study.

RESULTS

Twenty-three studies (13,117 patients) were included in the review for data extraction. Pooled analysis showed a lower rate of EI by using VL (relative risk [RR], 0.24; P < 0.01; high-quality evidence for RCTs and very low-quality evidence for observational studies). Subgroup analyses based on the type of studies, whether a cardiopulmonary resuscitation study, or operators' expertise showed a similar lower rate of EI by using VL compared with DL in all subgroups (P < 0.01) except for experienced operators (RR, 0.44; P = 0.09). There were no significant differences between devices for other adverse events (P > 0.05), except for a lower incidence of hypoxemia when intubation was performed with VL by inexperienced operators (P = 0.03).

CONCLUSIONS

Based on the results of this analysis, we conclude that compared with DL, VL can reduce the risk of EI during tracheal intubation in the emergency and ICU patients, but does not provide significant benefits on other adverse events associated with tracheal intubation.

Video Laryngoscopy Compared to Augmented Direct Laryngoscopy in Adult Emergency Department Tracheal Intubations: A National Emergency Airway Registry (NEAR) Study

OBJECTIVE

The objective was to compare first-attempt intubation success using direct laryngoscopy augmented by laryngeal manipulation, ramped patient positioning, and use of a bougie (A-DL) with unaided video laryngoscopy (VL) in adult emergency department (ED) intubations.

METHODS

This study was a secondary analysis of a multicenter prospective observational database of ED intubations from the National Emergency Airway Registry (NEAR). We compared all VL procedures to seven exploratory permutations of A-DL using multivariable regression models. We further stratified by blade shape into hyperangulated VL (HA-VL) and standard-geometry VL (SG-VL). We report differences in first-attempt intubation success and peri-intubation adverse events with cluster-adjusted odds ratios (ORs) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs). We report univariate comparisons in patient characteristics, difficult airway attributes, and intubation methods using descriptive statistics and OR with 95% CI.

RESULTS

We analyzed 11,714 intubations performed from January 1, 2016, through December 31, 2017. Of these encounters, 6,938 underwent orotracheal intubation with either A-DL or unaided VL on first attempt. A-DL was used first in 3,936 (56.7%, 95% CI = 46.9 to 66.5) versus unaided VL in 3,002 (43.3%, 95% CI = 33.5 to 53.1). Of the A-DL first intubations 1,787 (45.4%) employed ramped positioning alone, 1,472 (37.4%) had external laryngeal manipulation (ELM), and 365 (9.3%) used a bougie. Rapid sequence intubation (RSI) was the most common method used in 5,602 (80.8%, 95% CI = 77.0 to 84.5) cases. First-attempt success was significantly higher with all VL (90.9%, 95% CI = 88.7 to 93.1) versus all A-DL (81.1%, 95% CI = 78.7 to 83.5) despite the VL group having more patients with reduced mouth opening, neck immobility, and an initial impression of airway difficult. Multivariable regression analyses controlling for indication, method, operator specialty and year of training, center clustering, and all registry-recorded difficult airway predictors revealed first-attempt success was higher with all unaided VL compared with any A-DL (adjusted OR [AOR] = 2.8, 95% CI = 2.4 to 3.3), DL with bougie (AOR = 2.7, 95% CI = 2.1 to 3.5), DL with ELM (AOR = 1.8, 95% CI = 1.5 to 2.2), DL with ramped positioning (AOR = 2.8, 95% CI = 2.3 to 3.3), or DL with ELM plus bougie (AOR = 2.8, 95% CI = 2.3 to 3.3). Subgroup analyses of HA-VL and SG-VL compared with any A-DL yielded similar results (AOR = 3.2, 95% CI = 2.6 to 3.0; and AOR = 2.4, 95% CI = 1.9 to 3.0, respectively). The propensity score-adjusted odds for first-attempt success with VL was also 2.8 (95% CI = 2.4 to 3.3). Fewer esophageal intubations were observed in the VL cohort (0.4% vs. 1.3%, AOR = 0.2, 95% CI = 0.1 to 0.5).

CONCLUSIONS

Video laryngoscopy used without any augmenting maneuver, device, or technique results in higher first-attempt success than does DL that is augmented by use of a bougie, ELM, ramping, or combinations thereof.

Intubation in the Intensive Care Unit: C-MAC video laryngoscope versus Macintosh laryngoscope

PURPOSE

Various modifications of the Macintosh blade and direct laryngoscopy have been incorporated into practice to improve the intubation success rate and avoid complications while ensuring patient safety. This study evaluates the usefulness of two different direct laryngoscopy methods used by operators with various level of experience in the Intensive Care Unit.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

In a single centre prospective study, C-MAC and Macintosh laryngoscopes were compared in terms of laryngoscopy and intubation outcomes such as glottic visualization, number of intubation attempts, intubation success and satisfaction score.

RESULTS

During the one-year study period, 263 patients were evaluated and data of 218 patients were analyzed. The rate of successful first attempt intubation was higher in the video laryngoscope group (VL) (84% vs 57%; P<0.001). A significantly greater number of patients in the Macintosh laryngoscopy group had difficult visualization of the glottis in terms of the modified Cormack and Lehane classification and Percentage of Glottic Opening scale.

CONCLUSION

The use of video laryngoscope for intubation in ICU settings results in better visualization of the glottis and a higher incidence of successful intubation attempts.

Comparison of Tracheal Intubation Conditions in Operating Room and Intensive Care Unit: A Prospective, Observational Study

WHAT WE ALREADY KNOW ABOUT THIS TOPIC

WHAT THIS ARTICLE TELLS US THAT IS NEW: BACKGROUND:: Tracheal intubation is a common intervention in the operating room and in the intensive care unit. The authors hypothesized that tracheal intubation using direct laryngoscopy would be associated with worse intubation conditions and more complications in the intensive care unit compared with the operating room.

METHODS

The authors prospectively evaluated during 33 months patients who were tracheally intubated with direct laryngoscopy in the operating room, and subsequently in the intensive care unit (within a 1-month time frame). The primary outcome was to compare the difference in glottic visualization using the modified Cormack-Lehane grade between intubations performed on the same patient in an intensive care unit and previously in an operating room. Secondary outcomes were to compare first-time success rate, technical difficulty (number of attempts, operator-reported difficulty, need for adjuncts), and the incidence of complications.

RESULTS

A total of 208 patients met inclusion criteria. Tracheal intubations in the intensive care unit were associated with worse glottic visualization (Cormack-Lehane grade I/IIa/IIb/III/IV: 116/24/47/19/2) compared with the operating room (Cormack-Lehane grade I/IIa/IIb/III/IV: 159/21/16/12/0; P < 0.001). First-time intubation success rate was lower in the intensive care unit (185/208; 89%) compared with the operating room (201/208; 97%; P = 0.002). Tracheal intubations in the intensive care unit had an increased incidence of moderate and difficult intubation (33/208 [16%] vs. 18/208 [9%]; P < 0.001), and need for adjuncts to direct laryngoscopy (40/208 [19%] vs. 21/208 [10%]; P = 0.002), compared with the operating room. Complications were more common during tracheal intubations in the intensive care unit (76/208; 37%) compared with the operating room (13/208; 6%; P < 0.001).

CONCLUSIONS

Compared with the operating room, tracheal intubations in the intensive care unit were associated with worse intubation conditions and an increase of complications.

C-MAC© videolaryngoscopy: The anaesthetic assistant's view

Although videolaryngoscopy plays a major role in the 2015 Difficult Airway Society guidelines, the impact on anaesthetic assistant working practices and training has not previously been reported. We surveyed anaesthetic assistants in our hospital to document their experience with using the C-MAC^© videolaryngoscope (48 practitioners, 100% response rate). Improvements in the following were reported: patient safety 100%; ability to see whether laryngoscopy is difficult 98%; ability to anticipate the 'next step' 98%; team-working and human factors 96%; ability to call a senior anaesthetist more quickly 94%; assessment or adjustment of cricoid force application 92%, understanding of laryngeal anatomy 92%; training in intubation 98%; training in cricoid force application 87%. Concerns were primarily about local issues such as decontamination and blade availability. Ninety percent reported that the clinical benefit outweighed any additional workload. In conclusion, the C-MAC^© videolaryngoscope is judged by anaesthetic assistants to confer numerous advantages for their working practice and training.

Video laryngoscopy versus direct laryngoscopy for first-attempt tracheal intubation in the general ward

Background

Recent trials showed that video laryngoscopy (VL) did not yield higher first-attempt tracheal intubation success rate than direct laryngoscopy (DL) and was associated with higher rates of complications. Tracheal intubation can be more challenging in the general ward than in the intensive care unit. This study aimed to investigate which laryngoscopy mode is associated with higher first-attempt intubation success in a general ward.

Methods

This is a retrospective study of tracheal intubations conducted at a tertiary academic hospital. This analysis included all intubations performed by the medical emergency team in the general ward during a 48-month period.

Results

For the 958 included patients, the initial laryngoscopy mode was video laryngoscopy in 493 (52%) and direct laryngoscopy in 465 patients (48%). The overall first-attempt success rate was 69% (664 patients). The first-attempt success rate was higher with VL (79%; 391/493) than with DL (59%; 273/465, p < 0.001). The first-attempt intubation success rate was higher among experienced operators (83%; 266/319) than among inexperienced operators (62%; 398/639, p < 0.001). In multivariate logistic regression analyses, VL, pre-intubation heart rate, pre-intubation SpO₂ > 80%, a non-predicted difficult airway, experienced operator, and Cormack–Lehane grade were associated with first-attempt intubation success in the general ward. Over all intubation-related complications were not different between two groups (27% for VL vs. 25% for DL). However, incidence of a post-intubation SpO₂ < 80% was higher with VL than with DL (4% vs. 1%, p = 0.005), and in-hospital mortality was also higher (53.8% vs. 43%, p = 0.001).

Conclusion

In a general ward setting, the first-attempt intubation success rate was higher with video laryngoscopy than with direct laryngoscopy. However, video laryngoscopy did not reduce intubation-related complications. Furthers trials on best way to perform intubation in the emergency settings are required.

Electronic supplementary material

The online version of this article (10.1186/s13613-018-0428-0) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.

Difficult Airway Characteristics Associated with First-Attempt Failure at Intubation Using Video Laryngoscopy in the Intensive Care Unit

RATIONALE

Video laryngoscopy has overcome the need to align the anatomic axes to obtain a view of the glottic opening to place a tracheal tube. However, despite this advantage, a large number of attempts are unsuccessful. There are no existing data on anatomic characteristics in critically ill patients associated with a failed first attempt at laryngoscopy when using video laryngoscopy.

OBJECTIVES

To identify characteristics associated with first-attempt failure at intubation when using video laryngoscopy in the intensive care unit (ICU).

METHODS

This is an observational study of 906 consecutive patients intubated in the ICU with a video laryngoscope between January 2012 and January 2016 in a single-center academic medical ICU. After each intubation, the operator completed a data collection form, which included information on difficult airway characteristics, device used, and outcome of each attempt. Multivariable regression models were constructed to determine the difficult airway characteristics associated with a failed first attempt at intubation.

MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS

There were no significant differences in sex, age, reason for intubation, or device used between first-attempt failures and first-attempt successes. First-attempt successes more commonly reported no difficult airway characteristics were present (23.9%; 95% confidence interval [CI], 20.7-27.0% vs. 13.3%; 95% CI, 8.0-18.8%). In logistic regression analysis of the entire 906-patient database, blood in the airway (odds ratio [OR], 2.63; 95% CI, 1.64-4.20), airway edema (OR, 2.85; 95% CI, 1.48-5.45), and obesity (OR, 1.59; 95% CI, 1.08-2.32) were significantly associated with first-attempt failure. Data collection on limited mouth opening and secretions began after the first 133 intubations, and we fit a second logistic model to examine cases in which these additional difficult airway characteristics were collected. In this subset (n = 773), the presence of blood (OR, 2.73; 95% CI, 1.60-4.64), cervical immobility (OR, 3.34; 95% CI, 1.28-8.72), and airway edema (OR, 3.10; 95% CI, 1.42-6.70) were associated with first-attempt failure.

CONCLUSIONS

In this single-center study, presence of blood in the airway, airway edema, cervical immobility, and obesity are associated with higher odds of first-attempt failure, when intubation was performed with video laryngoscopy in an ICU.

The intensive care medicine research agenda for airways, invasive and noninvasive mechanical ventilation

In an important sense, support of the respiratory system has been a defining characteristic of intensive care since its inception. The pace of basic and clinical research in this field has escalated over the past two decades, resulting in palpable improvement at the bedside as measured by both efficacy and outcome. As in all medical research, however, novel ideas built upon observations are continually proposed, tested, and either retained or discarded on the basis of the persuasiveness of the evidence. What follows are concise descriptions of the current standards of management practice in respiratory support, the areas of present-day uncertainty, and our suggested agenda for the near future of research aimed at testing current assumptions, probing uncertainties, and solidifying the foundation on which to base our progress to the next level.

Current evidence for the use of C-MAC videolaryngoscope in adult airway management: a review of the literature

The C-MAC videolaryngoscope is the first Macintosh-typed videolaryngoscope. Since the advent of its original version video Macintosh system in 1999, this device has been modified several times. A unique feature of C-MAC device is its ability to provide the 2 options of direct and video laryngoscopy with the same device. The available evidence shows that in patients with normal airways, C-MAC videolaryngoscope compared with direct laryngoscopy can provide comparable or better laryngeal views and exerts less force on maxillary incisors, but does not offer conclusive benefits with regard to intubation time, intubation success, number of intubation attempts, the use of adjuncts, and hemodynamic responses to intubation. In patients with predicted or known difficult airways, C-MAC videolaryngoscope can achieve a better laryngeal view, a higher intubation success rate and a shorter intubation time than direct laryngoscopy. Furthermore, the option to perform direct and video laryngoscopy with the same device makes C-MAC videolaryngoscope exceptionally useful for emergency intubation. In addition, the C-MAC videolaryngoscope is a very good tool for tracheal intubation teaching. However, tracheal intubation with C-MAC videolaryngoscope may occasionally fail and introduction of C-MAC videolaryngoscope in clinical practice must be accompanied by formal training programs in normal and difficult airway managements.

Recent trends in airway management

Tracheal intubation remains a life-saving procedure that is typically not difficult for experienced providers in routine conditions. Unfortunately, difficult intubation remains challenging to predict and intubation conditions may make the event life threatening. Recent technological advances aim to further improve the ease, speed, safety, and success of intubation but have not been fully investigated. Video laryngoscopy, though proven effective in the difficult airway, may result in different intubation success rates in various settings and in different providers’ hands. The rescue surgical airway remains a rarely used but critical skill, and research continues to investigate optimal techniques. This review highlights some of the new thoughts and research on these important topics.

Device and Medication Preferences of Canadian Physicians for Emergent Endotracheal Intubation in Critically Ill Patients

OBJECTIVES

Various medications and devices are available for facilitation of emergent endotracheal intubations (EETIs). The objective of this study was to survey which medications and devices are being utilized for intubation by Canadian physicians.

METHODS

A clinical scenario-based survey was developed to determine which medications physicians would administer to facilitate EETI, their first choice of intubation device, and backup strategy should their first choice fail. The survey was distributed to Canadian emergency medicine (EM) and intensive care unit (ICU) physicians using web-based and postal methods. Physicians were asked questions based on three scenarios (trauma; pneumonia; heart failure) and responded using a 5-point scale ranging from "always" to "never" to capture usual practice.

RESULTS

The survey response rate was 50.2% (882/1,758). Most physicians indicated a Macintosh blade with direct laryngoscopy would "always/often" be their first choice of intubation device in the three scenarios (mean 85% [79%-89%]) followed by video laryngoscopy (mean 37% [30%-49%]). The most common backup device chosen was an extraglottic device (mean 59% [56%-60%]). The medications most physicians would "always/often" administer were fentanyl (mean 45% [42%-51%]) and etomidate (mean 38% [25%-50%]). EM physicians were more likely than ICU physicians to paralyze patients for EETI (adjusted odds ratio 3.40; 95% CI 2.90-4.00).

CONCLUSIONS

Most EM and ICU physicians utilize direct laryngoscopy with a Macintosh blade as a primary device for EETI and an extraglottic device as a backup strategy. This survey highlights variation in Canadian practice patterns for some aspects of intubation in critically ill patients.