Comparison of prehospital insertion success rates and time to insertion between standard endotracheal intubation and a supraglottic airway

Objective

To compare paramedic insertion success rates and time to insertion between standard ETI and a supraglottc airway device (King LTS-D™) in patients needing advanced airway management.

Methods

Between June 2008 and June 2009, consented paramedics from 4 EMS systems performed ETI or placed a King LTS-D according to a predetermined randomization calendar. Data collection occurred following each placement via telephone. Placement success (ability to ventilate to chest rise, absence of gastric sounds, presence of bilateral lung sounds, and when applicable, quantitative end-tidal CO₂ reading) was compared between treatment groups. Time to ventilation (time from airway device in hand ready to place to time of first successful ventilation) was also compared.

Results

A total of 213 patients in need of advanced airway management were treated during the study period, with 9 patients excluded from the analysis. The remaining 204 placements by 110 of the 272 consented paramedics were analyzed (median placements per paramedic = 1; range = 1-7). The overall placement success rate was virtually equal across the two groups (ETI = 80.2%, King LTS-D = 80.5%; p = 0.97). The median time to placement between ETI and the King LTS-D was also not significantly different (ETI = 19.5 s vs. King LTS-D = 20.0 s; z = −0.25; p = 0.80).

Conclusion

In this study, no differences in placement success rate or time to insertion were detected between the King LTS-D and ETI.     

Impact of prehospital airway management on combat mortality

Introduction

Analysis of modern military conflicts suggests that airway compromise remains the second leading cause of preventable death of combat fatalities. This study compares outcomes of combat casualties that received prehospital airway interventions, specifically bag valve mask (BVM) ventilation, cricothyrotomy, and supraglottic airway (SGA) placement. The goal is to compare the effectiveness of airway management strategies used in the military pre-hospital setting.

Comparison of supraglottic airway versus endotracheal intubation for the pre-hospital treatment of out-of-hospital cardiac arrest

Introduction

Both supraglottic airway devices (SGA) and endotracheal intubation (ETI) have been used by emergency life-saving technicians (ELST) in Japan to treat out-of-hospital cardiac arrests (OHCAs). Despite traditional emphasis on airway management during cardiac arrest, its impact on survival from OHCA and time dependent effectiveness remains unclear.

Methods

All adults with witnessed, non-traumatic OHCA, from 1 January 2005 to 31 December 2008, treated by the emergency medical services (EMS) with an advanced airway in Osaka, Japan were studied in a prospective Utstein-style population cohort database. The primary outcome measure was one-month survival with neurologically favorable outcome. The association between type of advanced airway (ETI/SGA), timing of device placement and neurological outcome was assessed by multiple logistic regression.

Results

Of 7,517 witnessed non-traumatic OHCAs, 5,377 cases were treated with advanced airways. Of these, 1,679 were ETI while 3,698 were SGA. Favorable neurological outcome was similar between ETI and SGA (3.6% versus 3.6%, P = 0.95). The time interval from collapse to ETI placement was significantly longer than for SGA (17.2 minutes versus 15.8 minutes, P < 0.001). From multivariate analysis, early placement of an advanced airway was significantly associated with better neurological outcome (Adjusted Odds Ratio (AOR) for one minute delay, 0.91, 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.88 to 0.95). ETI was not a significant predictor (AOR 0.71, 95% CI 0.39 to 1.30) but the presence of an ETI certified ELST (AOR, 1.86, 95% CI 1.04 to 3.34) was a significant predictor for favorable neurological outcome.

Conclusions

There was no difference in neurologically favorable outcome from witnessed OHCA for ETI versus SGA. Early airway management with advanced airway regardless of type and rhythm was associated with improved outcomes.     

气管内插管与声门上气道放置对院外心脏骤停患者心肺复苏疗效的Meta分析

目的综合评价并探讨院前气管内插管（ETI）与声门上气道（SGA）放置对院外心脏骤停（OHCA）患者的心肺复苏疗效。 方法检索Cochrane Library、PubMed、Embase、中国生物医学文献数据库、中国知网、万方数据库从建库至2018年9月8日以来关于对比由急诊医疗服务系统（EMSS）人员实施的ETI和SGA高级气道管理对OHCA患者心肺复苏效果的相关文献。由2位研究者按照纳入及排除标准独立进行文献筛选、数据提取及质量评价后,采用RevMan 5.3软件进行Meta分析。 结果共纳入13篇队列研究,1篇随机对照试验,包括了40 063例ETI患者和47 897例SGA患者。Meta分析结果显示,ETI组患者的自主循环恢复率[比值比（OR）= 1.20,95%置信区间（CI）（1.06,2.51）,Z=2.98,P=0.003]及出院后神经系统功能完整性[OR=1.09,95%CI（1.01,1.19）,Z=2.09,P=0.04]明显高于SGA组患者,而ETI组与SGA组患者间入院存活率[OR=1.14,95%CI（1.00,1.30）,Z=1.97,P=0.05]及出院存活率[OR=1.04,95%CI（0.97,1.12）,Z=1.16,P=0.25]比较,差异均无统计学意义。 结论对于由EMSS人员操作的成人OHCA患者的心肺复苏中气道管理而言,使用ETI优于SGA。     

Performance of supraglottic airway devices and 12 month skill retention: a randomized controlled study with manikins

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 < 0.001 for 2008 and 2009).

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.     

Higher insertion success with the i-gel supraglottic airway in out-of-hospital cardiac arrest: A randomised controlled trial

Background

Since their emergence from the operating theatre over a decade ago, supra-glottic airways (SGA) have become increasingly common in the management of out-of-hospital cardiac arrest (OOHCA) with laryngeal masks (LM) the most common SGA. The proliferation of LMs in the prehospital setting has occurred despite lower than expected rates of successful insertion being reported.

Methods

We conducted a single-centre, prospective parallel-group, ‘open label’ randomised controlled trial in subjects with OOHCA (aged greater than or equal to 12 years of age; weighing greater than or equal to 30 kg) were allocated to either the i-gel^® supraglottic airway (IG-SGA) or the Portex^® Soft Seal^® Laryngeal Mask (PSS-LM) within a large Australian ambulance service. Our hypothesis was that use of the IG-SGA, when compared to the Portex^® PSS-LM, would result in a higher rate of successful insertion in patients presenting with OOHCA. The primary outcome was successful insertion of the SGA.

Main findings

There were 51 patients randomised. Subjects had an average age of 65 years and 40% were female. There were no apparent differences in key demographic characteristics between groups. The IG-SGA had a significantly higher success rate than the PSS-LM (90% versus 57%; p = 0.023), resulting in a 58% greater likelihood of successful insertion than the PSS-LM (RR 1.58; 95% CI 1.11–2.24). The IG-SGA was associated with significantly lower median “ease of insertion” scores.

Conclusion

The i-gel^® supraglottic airway was associated with higher successful insertion rates in subjects with out-of-hospital cardiac arrest.     

Prehospital management of the difficult airway: a prospective cohort study

The role of prehospital endotracheal intubation (ETI) remains controversial, with significant national variability in practice. The purpose of this project was to evaluate ETI management in a system of advanced life support (ALS) providers experienced in ETI and other advanced airway techniques, and describe management and outcomes of patients with a "difficult airway." Data were collected prospectively for all ETIs performed by the fire department over a 4-year period (2001-2005), and included demographics, number of laryngoscopy attempts, airway procedures, complications, and outcomes. Of 80,501 ALS patient contacts, 4091 (5.1%) underwent attempted oral ETI, with a 96.8% success rate in four or fewer attempts. The difficult airway cohort included 130 patients (3.2%), whose airway management consisted of oral ETI after more than four attempts (46%), bag-valve-mask ventilation (33%), cricothyroidotomy (8%), retrograde ETI (5%), and digital ETI (1%). Procedural success rates ranged from 14% (digital ETI) to 91% (cricothyroidotomy). Nine patients (7%) had failed airway management, of whom 5 were found in cardiac arrest. The two most common reasons subjectively reported by ALS providers for airway difficulty were anterior trachea (39%) and small mouth (30%). Overall mortality for the difficult airway cohort was 44%. Prehospital ETI can be performed with a high success rate by experienced ALS providers, but may still require advanced airway techniques in a small subset of patients. Patient anatomy is a primary factor in failed ETI. Among the advanced procedures, cricothyroidotomy had the highest success rate and should not be delayed by other interventions.     

A comparison of the I-gel supraglottic airway as a conduit for tracheal intubation with the intubating laryngeal mask airway: A manikin study

Background

Insertion of a supraglottic airway and tracheal intubation through it may be indicated in resuscitation scenarios where conventional laryngoscopy fails. Various supraglottic devices have been used as conduits for tracheal intubation, including the intubating laryngeal mask airway (ILMA), the Ctrach™ laryngeal mask and the I-gel supraglottic airway.

Methods

A prospective study with 25 participants evaluated the success rate of blind intubation (using a gum-elastic bougie, an Aintree intubating catheter (AIC) and designated tracheal tube) and fibrescope-guided tracheal intubation (through the intubating laryngeal mask airway and the I-gel supraglottic airway) on three different airway manikins.

Results

Twenty-five anaesthetists performed three intubations with each method on each of three manikins. The success rate of the fibrescope-guided technique was significantly higher than blind attempts (P < 0.0001) with both devices. For fibreoptic techniques, there was no difference found between the ILMA and I-gel (P > 0.05). All blind techniques were significantly more successful in the ILMA group compared to the I-gel (P < 0.0001 for bougie, Aintree catheter and tracheal tube, respectively).

Conclusions

The results of this study show that, in manikins, fibreoptic intubation through both ILMA and I-gel is a highly successful technique. Blind intubation through the I-gel showed a low success rate and should not be attempted.     

Rapid sequence airway vs rapid sequence intubation in a simulated trauma airway by flight crew

Background

Rapid sequence airway (RSA) utilizes rapid sequence intubation (RSI) pharmacology followed by the placement of an extraglottic airway without direct laryngoscopy.

Study objective

To evaluate the difference in time to airway placement and lowest oxygen saturations in a simulated trauma patient using RSI or RSA with a Laryngeal Mask Airway—Supreme (LMAS).

Methods

This randomized, prospective, non-blinded, IRB-approved observational study used a SimMan^® human simulator in an ambulance. FC were randomly assigned to initially manage the patient with RSI or RSA. They then completed the same scenario with the other modality to serve as their own control. Trained assistants performed directed tasks. SimMan^® had an initial grade III view and desaturated along a standardized curve until intubation, LMAS, or bag-valve-mask ventilation (BVMV) was initiated. When BVMV was used, oxygen saturation increased along a standardized curve. The simulator's airway converted to a grade II view after the first attempt if difficult airway maneuvers were applied. Time, oxygen saturation, number of attempts and back-up airway placement were recorded.

Results

Nineteen FC completed both paired modalities. Paired T-test was used for statistical analysis. Average time to secure the airway was 145 s shorter in the RSA group (95% CI: 100.4-189.7). Lowest oxygen saturation was 4.8% higher (95% CI: 2.8-6.8) in the RSA group. During RSI, FC placed a back-up airway 47% of the time.

Conclusion

In a simulated moderately difficult trauma airway managed by FC, RSA results in a significantly shorter time to secure the airway and less hypoxemia compared to RSI.     

Prehospital airway management: a prospective evaluation of anaesthesia trained emergency physicians

STUDY OBJECTIVE: To determine the characteristics of prehospital tracheal intubation and the incidence of difficult-to-manage airways in out-of-hospital patients managed by emergency medicine physicians with anaesthesia training. METHODS: In a prospective study, conducted over a 4-year period, we evaluated all airway interventions performed by anaesthesia-trained emergency physicians. RESULTS: One thousand, one hundred and six out of 16,559 patients (6.8%) required tracheal intubation. Orotracheal intubation was attempted in 982, laryngoscopic aided nasotracheal intubation in 64 and blind nasotracheal intubation in 90 of the cases. Two techniques were used in 30 patients. Failure rates were 2.4, 8.1 and 25.6%, respectively. A Combitube or LMA was used in 2.0%. In one case of failed Combitube insertion successful needle cricothyrotomy was performed. In patients undergoing direct laryngoscopy, Cormack-Lehane laryngeal grade views I-IV were seen in 52.0, 28.8, 12.6 and 6.6% of cases, respectively. A difficult to manage airway (DMA) was reported in 14.8%, multiple intubation attempts in 4.3% and failed intubation in 2.0% of all cases. Grouping patients based on clinical presentation revealed a significantly higher incidence of DMA in trauma patients (18.6%) and during cardiopulmonary resuscitation (16.7%) than in the remaining patient group (9.8%). Intubation failed significantly more often in trauma (3.9%) than in the remaining patient group (1.1%). CONCLUSION: When compared to studies on laryngoscopy performed in the operating room, this study demonstrated a higher incidence of difficult and failed laryngoscopy, DAM, and high laryngeal grade views when patients were managed in a prehospital setting by anaesthesia trained physicians.     

The Easytube for airway management in prehospital emergency medicine

Background

Securing the airway in emergency is among the key requirements of appropriate prehospital therapy. The Easytube (Ezt) is a relatively new device, which combines the advantages of both an infraglottic and supraglottic airway.

Aims

Our goal was to evaluate the effectiveness and the safety of use of Ezt by emergency physicians in case of difficult airway management in a prehospital setting with minimal training.

Methods

We performed a prospective multi-centre observational study of patients requiring airway management conducted in prehospital emergency medicine in France by 3 French mobile intensive care units from October 2007 to October 2008.

Results

Data were available for 239 patients who needed airway management. Two groups were individualized: the “easy airway management” group (225 patients; 94%) and the “difficult airway management” group (14 patients; 6%). All patients had a successful airway management. The Ezt was used in eight men and six women; mean age was 64 years. It was used for ventilation for a maximum of 150 min and the mean time was 65 min. It was positioned successfully at first attempt, except for two patients, one needed an adjustment because of an air leak, and in the other patient the Ezt was replaced due to complete obstruction of the Ezt during bronchial suction.

Conclusion

The present study shows that emergency physicians in cases of difficult airway management can use the EzT safely and effectively with minimal training. Because of its very high success rate in ventilation, the possibility of blind intubation, the low failure rate after a short training period. It could be introduced in new guidelines to manage difficult airway in prehospital emergency.     

The Resuscitation Outcomes Consortium Epistry-Trauma: design, development, and implementation of a North American epidemiologic prehospital trauma registry

Injury is a major public health problem generating substantial morbidity, mortality, and economic burden on society. The majority of seriously injured persons are initially evaluated and cared for by prehospital providers, however the effect of emergency medical services (EMS) systems, EMS clinical care, and EMS interventions on trauma patient outcomes is largely unknown. Outcome-based information to guide future EMS care has been hampered by the lack of comprehensive, standardized, multi-center prehospital data resources that include meaningful patient outcomes. In this paper, we describe the background, design, development, implementation, content, and potential uses of the first North American comprehensive epidemiologic prehospital data registry for injured persons. This data registry samples patients from 264 EMS agencies transporting to 287 acute care hospitals in both the United States and Canada.     

Hands-off time during insertion of six airway devices during cardiopulmonary resuscitation: a randomised manikin trial

Introduction

Cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) guidelines recommend limiting interruptions of chest compressions because prolonged hands-off (i.e., non-compression) time compromises tissue perfusion. 2010 European Resuscitation Council guidelines suggest that chest compressions should be paused less than 10 s during airway device insertion.

Methods

With approval of the local ethics committee of the Medical University of Vienna and written informed consent, we recruited 40 voluntary emergency medical technicians, none of whom had advanced airway management experience. After a standardised audio-visual lecture and practical demonstration, technicians performed airway management with each six airway devices (endotracheal tube, Combitube, EasyTube, laryngeal tube, Laryngeal Mask Airway, and I-Gel) during on-going chest compressions in a randomised sequence on a Resusci Anne Advanced Simulator. Data were analysed using a mixed-effects model accounting for the repeated measurements and pair-wise comparisons among the airway devices.

Results

The hands-off time associated with airway management using an endotracheal tube (including all intubation attempts) was 48 s (95% confidence interval: 43-53). The hands-off time for airway management using a laryngeal tube was 8.4 (3.4-16.4) s, Combitube 10.0 (4.9-15.1) s, EasyTube 11.4 (6.4-16.4) s, LMA 13.3 (8.2-18.3) s and for I-Gel 15.9 (10.8-20.9) s. Hands-off time was significantly longer with the conventional endotracheal tube than with any of the other airway systems. Only a third of the technicians successfully inserted an endotracheal tube whereas all of them successfully positioned each supraglottic device.

Conclusion

Supraglottic devices appear to be a reasonable emergency airway management strategy, even for inexperienced personnel.     

The i-gel supraglottic airway device improves airway management during endobronchial ablative therapy under general anesthesia: a case report

Endobronchial ablative therapy (EAT) in patients with preexisting obstructive airway disease can cause hypoxemia because bronchoscope insertion interferes with ventilation and a low fraction of inspired oxygen (FiO₂) is essential to avoid airway fire. A man in his early 50s with moderately severe obstructive airway disease was scheduled for EAT for treatment of tracheal papillomatosis. Ventilation and oxygenation would have been difficult because of narrowing of the endotracheal tube by bronchoscopic insertion and a low FiO₂; therefore, an i-gel supraglottic airway device with a larger inner diameter was inserted. All visible intratracheal papillomas were ablated by a potassium titanyl phosphate laser through the bronchoscopic port that passed through the lumen of the i-gel at an FiO₂ of 0.3. During anesthesia for EAT, the i-gel supraglottic airway device provided a wider lumen for ventilation. We were thus able to provide stable ventilation at an FiO₂ of 0.3 during EAT in this patient with obstructive airway disease, avoiding airway fire and hypoxemia.     

Disposable laryngeal tube suction: standard insertion technique versus two modified insertion techniques for patients with a simulated difficult airway

Objective

The disposable laryngeal tube suction (LTS-D) is a supraglottic airway device that can be used as an alternative to tracheal tube to provide ventilation. We tested the hypothesis that, with a frontal jaw thrust insertion technique (FIT/JT), the rate of correct placement attempts in patients with a simulated difficult airway by means of a rigid cervical immobilization collar could be significantly increased compared to the standard insertion technique (SIT) recommended by the manufacturer.

Methods

70 adult patients undergoing trauma surgery under general anaesthesia had an LTS-D inserted, randomly assigned to the SIT or FIT/JT. In the FIT/JT, the operator was standing in front of the patient's head, and forced chin lift to create sufficient retropharyngeal space was performed. The rate of successful tube placements within 180 s and with a maximum of two attempts was the main outcome variable. To distinguish between the effects of the frontal approach and the jaw thrust manoeuvre, a third group was studied after completion of the SIT and FIT/JT groups. The standard insertion technique, but with a jaw thrust manoeuvre (SIT/JT), was employed in another 35 consecutive patients.

Results

Overall placement success was 49% (SIT, 17/35 patients, P < 0.001), 91% (SIT/JT, 32/35 patients) and 100% (FIT/JT). The time required for successful insertion was shortest in the FIT/JT group (23 ± 6 s), and significantly longer in the SIT/JT (42 ± 29 s, P < 0.001) and SIT groups (51 ± 29 s, P < 0.0001).

Conclusion

In anaesthetised patients with a simulated difficult airway created with a rigid cervical collar, the overall LTS-D placement success was significantly higher when a jaw thrust manoeuvre was performed, regardless of the particular technique used to introduce the LTS-D. Therefore, an intense jaw thrust manoeuvre should be performed whenever an LTS-D is being inserted.     

Association of prehospital intubation with decreased survival among pediatric trauma patients in Iraq and Afghanistan

Introduction

Airway compromise is the second leading cause of preventable death on the battlefield among US military casualties. Airway management is an important component of pediatric trauma care. Yet, intubation is a challenging skill with which many prehospital providers have limited pediatric experience. We compare mortality among pediatric trauma patients undergoing intubation in the prehospital setting versus a fixed-facility emergency department.

气管切开术后气道管理现状

为加强气管切开病人气道管理,从重建生理湿化状态、气道湿化方法、湿化液选择、有效吸痰方法、预防呼吸道感染等方面综速了气管切开术后气道管理研究现状。