A scoping review to map the implications of reusing single-use endotracheal suctioning catheter practices in mechanically ventilated patients.

INTRODUCTION: Currently there is limited evidence of the frequency of using endotracheal suctioning catheters. Due to limited resources, many low- and middle-income countries still reuse single-use suction catheters multiple times during the length of a nursing shift. This scoping review was conducted to map the impact of reusing single-use endotracheal suctioning catheters practices on mechanically ventilated patients' outcomes. METHODS: The scoping review was conducted in accordance with the JBI methodology for scoping reviews. Four databases systematically searched using predefined keywords (CINAHL, EMBASE, MEDLINE, GLOBAL HEALTH). Key electronic journals were hand searched, while reference lists of included documents and grey literature sources were screened thoroughly. Two independent reviewers completed the study selection and data extraction. A third reviewer made the final decision on any disagreements disputed records. RESULTS: In total 22 articles were identified, and 14 non-duplicate records were screened, and 8 articles were screened for full text. Six articles met the inclusion criteria and were included in this review. Differences were observed on the findings of included studies, two studies identified that reusing single-use suction catheter might increases the risk of respiratory infection, while two other studies identified no difference in contamination rate between single used or multiple-used catheters. One study indicated that reusing single-use catheters are a safe and cost-effective intervention and finally one study reported that reusing single-use catheters might reduce incidence of ventilator associated pneumonia if flushed with chlorhexidine after suctioning. CONCLUSIONS: There is no strong evidence of the frequency of using endotracheal suction catheters. Further research is needed comparing single-used versus multiple-used endotracheal suction catheters in mechanically ventilated patients. IMPLICATION FOR CLINICAL PRACTICE: Nurses in resource-limited countries can follow their hospital policy regarding the changing frequency of endotracheal suction catheters due to lack of a robust evidence. Flushing suction circuits with chlorhexidine while reusing single-use catheters might reduce the risk of respiratory infections in these hospitals.

Decreasing the pressure of endotracheal tube cuff slowly with a constant speed can decrease coughing incidence during extubation: a randomized clinical trial.

BACKGROUND: To discuss whether decreasing the pressure of endotracheal tube cuff slowly with a constant speed can decrease the incidence of coughing during extubation. METHODS: Ninety patients undergoing elective noncardiac surgery under general anesthesia with endotracheal intubation were randomly divided into two groups: group P, the pilot balloon was connected to a syringe and an aneroid manometer through a three-way stopcock, respectively, and the decrease of cuff pressure was controlled at 3 cmH2O/s during deflating before extubation; group C, the pressure in endotracheal tube cuff was decreased suddenly with a syringe extracting the air from the cuff rapidly at once exactly before extubation. The incidence of coughing during extubation period was recorded. Mean arterial pressure (MAP) and heart rate (HR) were recorded before general anesthesia induction (T0), just before cuff deflation (T1), immediately after deflation (T2), at 1 min (T3), 3 min (T4), and 5 min after extubation (T5). The occurrence of adverse reactions was also recorded. RESULTS: The initiation of coughing during extubation period occurs at immediately the time of balloon deflation. Compared with group C, the incidence of coughing was significantly decreased (P = 0.001), MAP and HR were significantly decreased at T2-T4 and T2-T5, respectively (P < 0.05 for all), and the incidence of pharyngolaryngeal discomfort after extubation was significantly reduced (P = 0.021) in group P. CONCLUSIONS: Decreasing the pressure of endotracheal tube cuff slowly with a constant speed can significantly reduce the incidence of coughing during extubating period, stabilize hemodynamics, and reduce the incidence of adverse reactions.

"To BAL or not to BAL, that is the question": Variations in smoke inhalation injury guidelines from burn units and centres in England, Scotland and Wales.

AIM: To evaluate variations in diagnostic criteria and management recommendations for smoke inhalation injury (SII) amongst the burn networks of England, Scotland, and Wales. METHODS: A descriptive cross-sectional study examining SII guidelines provided by adult burn units and centres in England, Scotland and Wales. RESULTS: All 16 adult burn units and centres responded. Fourteen (87.5 %) had guidelines. Due to sharing of guidelines, ten unique guidelines were assessed. Diagnostic criteria showed variability with no universal criterion shared amongst guidelines. Bronchoscopy was recommended by 90 % of guidelines, but the timing varied. The use of bronchoscopic scoring systems was recommended by four guidelines. Bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) was recommended by four, with considerable variation in frequency and choice of lavage fluid. All guidelines advised at least one nebulised agent: heparin (n = 8); N-acetyl cysteine (NAC) (n = 8); or salbutamol (n = 8). All guidelines included advice on carbon monoxide poisoning; however, carboxyhaemoglobin (COHb) cut-off levels for treatment varied (5 % [n-4], 10 % [n = 3], 15 % [n = 1]). All recommended high-flow oxygen. Seven (70 %) guidelines offered guidance on cyanide poisoning. Reduced/altered consciousness was the only consistent diagnostic criterion. Five (50 %) guidelines provided intubation guidance, emphasising the role of a 'senior clinician' as the intubator. Ventilatory guidance appeared in eight guidelines, focusing on lung protective ventilation (n = 8); oxygenation goals (n = 3); and permissive hypercapnia (n = 3). Within lung-protective ventilation, advice on tidal volume (6, or 6-8 ml/kg) and plateau pressures (>30 cmH2O) were presented most commonly (n = 7). CONCLUSION: This study has outlined the substantial variations in guidance for the management of SII. The results underscore the need for a national guideline outlining a standardised approach to the diagnosis and management of SII, within the limitations of the current evidence.

Utilizing ultrasonography to determine the minimal transverse diameter of the subglottic airway for informed selection of reinforced cuffed endotracheal tube models in children.

OBJECTIVE: We explored the use of ultrasonography in determining the minimal transverse diameter of the subglottic airway (MTDSA) for the purpose of choosing an appropriate model of reinforced cuffed endotracheal tube. METHODS: A total of 110 pediatric patients who received general anesthesia and tracheal intubation for selective surgeries at the hospital from February 2019 to February 2022 were chosen. They were then randomly assigned to three groups: 39 in the MTDSA group, 35 in the age formula group, and 36 in the height formula group. We assessed how accurately the appropriate endotracheal tube model was predicted in each group and compared their predictive performance. RESULTS: The age range of the enrolled pediatric patients was 3-6 years old. The ultrasonic measurement method demonstrated a prediction accuracy of 87.18%, while the age formula method and height formula method exhibited lower accuracy rates of 54.29% and 47.22%, respectively. Notably, the ultrasonic measurement method outperformed the other two methods significantly (P < 0.05). In the MTDSA group, 2 patients had their catheters changed during anesthesia, and the proportion of patients who changed their catheters was 5.13%. In the MTDSA group, 6 catheters were replaced, and the frequency of catheter replacement was 15.38%. In contrast, these percentages were much higher in the age formula group, at 31.43% and 45.71%, and in the height formula group, at 36.11% and 52.78%. The latter two groups had significantly higher values than the MTDSA group (P < 0.05). Regarding complications such as hoarseness, laryngeal edema, aspiration, and laryngospasm, the MTDSA group experienced a notably lower total incidence of 7.69% compared to the 37.14% in the age formula group and 41.67% in the height formula group, demonstrating statistical significance (P < 0.05). CONCLUSION: The ultrasonic measurement technique employed in MTDSA exhibits impressive precision when it comes to forecasting the specific model of a reinforced cuffed endotracheal tube for pediatric patients. This enhanced accuracy contributes significantly to minimizing the need for tube replacements during anesthesia and the associated complications. It holds immense importance in assisting clinicians in selecting the most appropriate pediatric endotracheal tube model for anesthesia induction.

Acromio-Axillo-Suprasternal Notch Index Performance in Predicting Difficult Visualization of the Larynx: An Observational Prospective Study.

Bedside screening tests for predicting difficult intubation play a crucial role in clinical practice, although their utility remains limited. This prospective observational study aimed to assess the predictive value of the Acromio-Axillo-Suprasternal Notch Index (AASI) for difficult visualization of the larynx (DVL). Following approval from the Institutional Ethics Sub-Committee (Research Protocol No.: IESC/FP/68/2023), this prospective, observational, single-center study involved a sample size of 100 consecutive adult patients, both male and female, aged 20 to 65 years. The participants were classified as American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA) grade I or II and were scheduled for elective surgeries necessitating endotracheal intubation. Before the operation, the following factors were assessed: AASI, modified Mallampati test (MMT), sternomental distance (SMD), thyromental distance (TMD), and inter-incisor distance (IID). Larynx visualization was evaluated using the Cormack-Lehane (CL) grading system, where grades III and IV indicate difficult laryngeal visualization. Qualified anesthesiologists performed direct laryngoscopy while remaining unaware of the outcomes of the airway predictors being assessed. The main aim of the investigation was to assess the efficacy of the AASI as a means of predicting DVL. The research study's secondary goals involved evaluating the accuracy of AASI in predicting challenging airways compared to other predictors such as MMT, SMD, TMD, and IID. DVL was observed in 21% of patients, out of which 10 and 11 were males and females, respectively. The sensitivity, specificity, and area under the curve (AUC) of the AASI were observed and reported with a 95% confidence interval (CI), being 98.73% (93.2-99.9%), 71.43% (47.8-88.7%), and 0.851 (0.732-0.970), respectively. AUC analysis revealed that AASI outperformed MMT, SMD, TMD, and IID as a predictor of DVL. AASI (≥0.5) serves as an excellent predictor for DVL during direct laryngoscopy. This finding suggests the clinical utility of AASI in identifying patients who may require special consideration during intubation procedures.

Emergency medicine updates: Endotracheal intubation.

INTRODUCTION: Airway management including endotracheal intubation (ETI) is a key skill for emergency clinicians. Therefore, it is important for emergency clinicians to be aware of the current evidence regarding the identification and management of patients requiring ETI. OBJECTIVE: This paper evaluates key evidence-based updates concerning ETI for the emergency clinician. DISCUSSION: ETI is commonly performed in the emergency department (ED) setting but has many nuanced components. There are several tools that have been used to predict a difficult airway which incorporate anatomic and physiologic features. While helpful, these tools should not be used in isolation. Preoxygenation and apneic oxygenation are recommended to reduce the risk of desaturation and patient decompensation, particularly with noninvasive ventilation in critically ill patients. Induction and neuromuscular blocking medications should be tailored to the clinical scenario. Video laryngoscopy is superior to direct laryngoscopy among novice users, while both techniques are reasonable among more experienced clinicians. Recent literature suggests using a bougie during the first attempt. Point-of-care ultrasound is helpful for confirming correct placement and depth of the endotracheal tube. CONCLUSIONS: An understanding of literature updates can improve the ED care of patients requiring emergent intubation.

Index of Consciousness monitoring may effectively predict and prevent circulatory stress induced by endotracheal intubation under general anesthesia: a prospective randomized controlled trial.

BACKGROUND: The primary objective of anesthesiologists during the induction of anaesthesia is to mitigate the operative stress response resulting from endotracheal intubation. In this prospective, randomized controlled trial, our aim was to assess the feasibility and efficacy of employing Index of Consciousness (IoC, IoC1 and IoC2) monitoring in predicting and mitigating circulatory stress induced by endotracheal intubation for laparoscopic cholecystectomy patients under general anesthesia (GA). METHODS: We enrolled one hundred and twenty patients scheduled for laparoscopic cholecystectomy under GA and randomly allocated them to two groups: IoC monitoring guidance (Group T, n = 60) and bispectral index (BIS) monitoring guidance (Group C, n = 60). The primary endpoints included the heart rate (HR) and mean arterial pressure (MAP) of the patients, as well as the rate of change (ROC) at specific time points during the endotracheal intubation period. Secondary outcomes encompassed the systemic vascular resistance index (SVRI), cardiac output index (CI), stroke volume index (SVI), ROC at specific time points, the incidence of adverse events (AEs), and the induction dosage of remifentanil and propofol during the endotracheal intubation period in both groups. RESULTS: The mean (SD) HR at 1 min after intubation under IoC monitoring guidance was significantly lower than that under BIS monitoring guidance (76 (16) beats/min vs. 82 (16) beats/min, P = 0.049, respectively). Similarly, the mean (SD) MAP at 1 min after intubation under IoC monitoring guidance was lower than that under BIS monitoring guidance (90 (20) mmHg vs. 98 (19) mmHg, P = 0.031, respectively). At each time point from 1 to 5 min after intubation, the number of cases with HR ROC of less than 10% in Group T was significantly higher than in Group C (P < 0.05). Furthermore, between 1 and 3 min and at 5 min post-intubation, the number of cases with HR ROC between 20 to 30% or 40% in Group T was significantly lower than that in Group C (P < 0.05). At 1 min post-intubation, the number of cases with MAP ROC of less than 10% in Group T was significantly higher than that in Group C (P < 0.05), and the number of cases with MAP ROC between 10 to 20% in Group T was significantly lower than that in Group C (P < 0.01). Patients in Group T exhibited superior hemodynamic stability during the peri-endotracheal intubation period compared to those in Group C. There were no significant differences in the frequencies of AEs between the two groups (P > 0.05). CONCLUSION: This promising monitoring technique has the potential to predict the circulatory stress response, thereby reducing the incidence of adverse reactions during the peri-endotracheal intubation period. This technology holds promise for optimizing anesthesia management. TRAIL REGISTRATION:  Chinese Clinical Trail Registry Identifier: ChiCTR2300070237 (20/04/2022).

Specialized nursing intervention on critically ill patient in the prevention of intubation-associated pneumonia: an integrative literature review.

Healthcare-associated infections are adverse events that affect people in critical condition, especially when hospitalized in an intensive care unit. The most prevalent is intubation-associated pneumonia (IAP), a nursing-care-sensitive area. This review aims to identify and analyze nursing interventions for preventing IAP. An integrative literature review was done using the Medline, CINAHL, Scopus and PubMed databases. After checking the eligibility of the studies and using Rayyan software, ten final documents were obtained for extraction and analysis. The results obtained suggest that the nursing interventions identified for the prevention of IAP are elevating the headboard to 30º; washing the teeth, mouth and mucous membranes with a toothbrush and then instilling chlorohexidine 0.12%-0.2% every 8/8 hr; monitoring the cuff pressure of the endotracheal tube (ETT) between 20-30 mm Hg; daily assessment of the need for sedation and ventilatory weaning and the use of ETT with drainage of subglottic secretions. The multimodal nursing interventions identified enable health gains to be made in preventing or reducing IAP. This area is sensitive to nursing care, positively impacting the patient, family, and organizations. Future research is suggested into the effectiveness of chlorohexidine compared to other oral hygiene products, as well as studies into the mortality rate associated with IAP, with and without ETT for subglottic aspiration.

Battle of the Gases: How Air and Nitrous Oxide Affect Endotracheal Tube Cuff Pressure During General Anesthesia.

Background Endotracheal tube (ETT) cuff pressure changes during general anesthesia. Endotracheal cuff pressure ideally should be maintained between 20 and 30 cm of H2O. Cuff pressure of less than 25 cm of H2O increases the chances of aspiration while pressure of more than 40 cm of H2O causes tracheal mucosa damage. The study aimed to monitor and compare variations of endotracheal cuff pressure during general anesthesia with oxygen-air or oxygen-nitrous oxide. Methods This prospective, randomized, double-blinded, observational study was conducted on 40 patients. After approval from the institutional ethics subcommittee, 40 patients of either gender, aged 18-60 years, belonging to ASA grades I and II, who were undergoing elective surgery under general anesthesia, were enrolled in this study. The patients were randomly divided into two groups, with 20 in each group. In Group A, oxygen-air and Group N, oxygen-nitrous oxide was used as a gaseous mixture in general anesthesia with ETT. The ETT cuff pressure was recorded with the help of a cuff manometer at intervals of five, 10, 20, 30, 40, 50, 60, 70, 80, and 90 minutes after intubation. If pressure was more than 40 cm of H2O, it was reduced to 25-30 cm of H2O. Data were collected and analyzed using methods described in Primer of Biostatistics by Stanton A. Glantz. Quantitative data were analyzed using the Student's t-test. Qualitative data were analyzed using the chi-square test. Results An increase in cuff pressure was noted more in Group N as compared to Group A. The pressure in the endotracheal cuff started to gradually increase after 30-40 minutes in Group N after intubation, while in Group A, there was no significant increase. The average number of times the cuff deflated was 0.2 ± 0.41 in Group A and 1.55 ± 0.51 in Group N, which was highly significant. Conclusion Changes in endotracheal cuff pressure were observed when using different gas mixtures for inflation. Specifically, cuff pressure increased with oxygen and nitrous oxide compared to oxygen with air. This suggests that anesthetic gas composition can impact cuff pressure, potentially affecting tracheal mucosal perfusion and patient safety. Therefore, regular monitoring and adjustment of cuff pressure is crucial, especially when using nitrous oxide, to prevent complications and ensure optimal patient care.

Construction of an extubation protocol for adult tracheal intubation patients in the intensive care unit: A Delphi study.

OBJECTIVE: The objective of this study was to develop an extubation practice protocol for adult intensive care unit (ICU) patients who underwent endotracheal intubation, providing theoretical guidance for clinical extubation procedures in the ICU. METHODS: A research team was established consisting of medical, nursing, anaesthesia, and respiratory therapy professionals; the multidisciplinary team systematically searched domestic and foreign literature, summarised the best evidence, and combined it with clinical practice experience to preliminarily develop an extubation protocol for adult ICU patients who underwent endotracheal intubation. Seventeen experts in critical care medicine, intensive care nursing, clinical anaesthesia, and respiratory therapy were invited to participate in a Delphi expert consultation to screen and modify the draft protocol. RESULTS: The response rates of the two Delphi expert enquiries were 100% and 94.1%, with expert authority coefficients of 0.94 and 0.93, respectively, and Kendall's concordance coefficients were 0.152 and 0.198, respectively, indicating statistically significant differences (p < 0.001). The final protocol included three level I indicators, 14 level II indicators, and 34 level III indicators, covering extubation evaluation, implementation, and postextubation management. CONCLUSION: The extubation protocol for adult tracheal intubation patients in the ICU constructed in this study is scientific, practical, and reliable. This study can provide theoretical guidance for extubation in ICU patients who have undergone endotracheal intubation.

Localized delivery of therapeutics impact laryngeal mechanics, local inflammatory response, and respiratory microbiome following upper airway intubation injury in swine.

BACKGROUND: Laryngeal injury associated with traumatic or prolonged intubation may lead to voice, swallow, and airway complications. The interplay between inflammation and microbial population shifts induced by intubation may relate to clinical outcomes. The objective of this study was to investigate laryngeal mechanics, tissue inflammatory response, and local microbiome changes with laryngotracheal injury and localized delivery of therapeutics via drug-eluting endotracheal tube. METHODS: A simulated traumatic intubation injury was created in Yorkshire crossbreed swine under direct laryngoscopy. Endotracheal tubes electrospun with roxadustat or valacyclovir- loaded polycaprolactone (PCL) fibers were placed in the injured airway for 3, 7, or 14 days (n = 3 per group/time and ETT type). Vocal fold stiffness was then evaluated with normal indentation and laryngeal tissue sections were histologically examined. Immunohistochemistry and inflammatory marker profiling were conducted to evaluate the inflammatory response associated with injury and ETT placement. Additionally, ETT biofilm formation was visualized using scanning electron microscopy and micro-computed tomography, while changes in the airway microbiome were profiled through 16S rRNA sequencing. RESULTS: Laryngeal tissue with roxadustat ETT placement had increasing localized stiffness outcomes over time and histological assessment indicated minimal epithelial ulceration and fibrosis, while inflammation remained severe across all timepoints. In contrast, vocal fold tissue with valacyclovir ETT placement showed no significant changes in stiffness over time; histological analysis presented a reduction in epithelial ulceration and inflammation scores along with increased fibrosis observed at 14 days. Immunohistochemistry revealed a decline in M1 and M2 macrophage markers over time for both ETT types. Among the cytokines, IL-8 levels differed significantly between the roxadustat and valacyclovir ETT groups, while no other cytokines showed statistically significant differences. Additionally, increased biofilm formation was observed in the coated ETTs with notable alterations in microbiota distinctive to each ETT type and across time. CONCLUSION: The injured and intubated airway resulted in increased laryngeal stiffness. Local inflammation and the type of therapeutic administered impacted the bacterial composition within the upper respiratory microbiome, which in turn mediated local tissue healing and recovery.

Association between early airway intervention in the pre-hospital setting and outcomes in out of hospital cardiac arrest patients: A post-hoc analysis of the Target Temperature Management-2 (TTM2) trial.

INTRODUCTION: Airway management is a critical component of out-of-hospital cardiac arrest (OHCA) resuscitation. The primary aim of this study was to describe pre-hospital airway management in adult patients post-OHCA. Secondary aims were to investigate whether tracheal intubation (TI) versus use of supraglottic airway device (SGA) was associated with patients' outcomes, including ventilator-free days within 26 days of randomization, 6 months neurological outcome and mortality. METHODS: Secondary analysis of the Target Temperature Management-2 (TTM2) trial conducted in 13 countries, including adult patients with OHCA and return of spontaneous circulation, with data available on pre-hospital airway management. A multivariate logistic regression model with backward stepwise selection was employed to assess whether TI versus SGA was associated with outcomes. RESULTS: Of the 1900 TTM2 trial patients, 1702 patients (89.5%) were included, with a mean age of 64 years (Standard Deviation, SD = 13.53); 79.1% were males. Pre-hospital airway management was SGA in 484 (28.4%), and TI in 1218 (71.6%) patients. At hospital admission, 87.8% of patients with SGA and 98.5% with TI were mechanically ventilated (p < 0.001). In the multivariate analysis, TI in comparison with SGA was not independently associated with an increase in ventilator-free days within 26 days of randomization, improved neurological outcomes, or decreased mortality. The hazard ratio for mortality with TI vs. SGA was 1.06, 95%Confidence Interval (CI) 0.88-1.28, p = 0.54. CONCLUSIONS: In the multicentre randomized TTM2-trial including patients with OHCA, most patients received prehospital endotracheal intubation to manage their airway. The choice of pre-hospital airway device was not independently associated with patient clinical outcomes. TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER: NCT02908308.

Intubating Laryngeal Mask Airway for Airway Management and Blind Tracheal Intubation Through It From 360° Around a Supine Patient: A Randomized Controlled Clinical Study in a Simulated Prehospital Emergency Scenario.

Introduction In emergency situations, airway management is often given priority over other treatment methods. The preferred technique for airway management of unconscious patients is endotracheal intubation, which has become the standard of care. Intubation of the trachea not only enables controlled ventilation even for extended periods and in any position but also allows for the removal of tracheal secretions. Supraglottic airways have several advantages over endotracheal intubation, including faster insertion, less need for neuromuscular blockade, and less hemodynamic instability. They can also be used as a bridge to intubation or as a rescue device when intubation fails or is contraindicated. The aim of this randomized controlled clinical study is to simulate a prehospital emergency/disaster scenario to evaluate and study the feasibility and effectiveness of the use of intubating laryngeal mask airway (ILMA) for onsite airway management from 360 degrees around the patient's head as in such situations, there may be limited or no access behind the head of the victim. Such a scenario can be extrapolated to disaster conditions where the victims may be trapped under the rubble following a building collapse /earthquake or are trapped in a vehicular road traffic/ train accident. It may take substantial time for extrication and evacuation of such patients to a hospital and hence it may be life-saving to provide prompt and early onsite airway management from wherever access is possible around the victim. We believe that the provision of a steel handle integrated with the airway tube may provide an opportunity for successful insertion of the device from 360 degrees around the patient merely by suitably changing the way the handle is gripped, so as to allow a single-handed smooth arc-like movement of the device for insertion, irrespective of the position of the rescuer relative to the patient's head. Objectives Our objective is to study the ease and time of insertion of ILMA, the number of attempts for successful ILMA insertion, and oropharyngeal leak pressure attained from unconventional positions in a supine patient.  Materials and methods This prospective, randomized, observer-blinded controlled trial included 90 patients undergoing elective surgery under general anesthesia. Patients were randomized using a chit and box system for group allocation. Groups were as follows: Group 1 (n=30) - Investigator standing on the back of the head of the patient (0°); Group 2 (n=30) - Investigator standing on the left side facing the patient (120°); Group 3 (n=30) - Investigator standing on the right side facing the patient (240°). Then ease and time of insertion of ILMA, number of attempts for successful ILMA insertion and oropharyngeal leak pressure were noted, and intergroup comparison was done. Conclusion ILMA has proved to be an effective ventilatory device and a suitable conduit for intubation in patients lying in the supine position from a conventional standard position standing behind the head of the patient, as well as non-conventional position, facing the patient at 120° or 240° from the standard position.

Placement of the feline V-gel Advanced supraglottic airway device and tracheal selectivity during controlled mechanical ventilation: a clinical and tomodensitometric evaluation.

OBJECTIVES: The aims of the study was to assess the placement of the V-gel Advanced (V-gel-A) and to evaluate tracheal selectivity during controlled mechanical ventilation, using CT. METHODS: In this prospective clinical study, 20 healthy cats undergoing general anaesthesia for an elective procedure underwent four successive CT scans from the nose to the mid-abdomen: at baseline (no device); after the placement of the V-gel-A, after a controlled mechanical ventilation (CMV) period of 5 mins; and after the placement of an endotracheal tube (ETT). Using both a purpose designed position score and a gas score estimating the quantity of gas in different digestive regions, the position of the V-gel-A and presence of gas in the digestive tract at each step were evaluated. Number of attempts and times required to place the V-gel-A and ETT were recorded and compared. RESULTS: The V-gel-A was found to be correctly placed, with position scores of 3/5 in six cats, 4/5 in 13 cats and 5/5 in one cat. Imperfect positioning was due to minor axial rotation or incomplete occlusion of the oesophagus by the tip of the device. The gas scores significantly increased after placement of the V-gel-A compared with baseline and after CMV was initiated. Correct positioning of the device was mostly achieved at the first attempt; no significant difference was found in the time required to place V-gel-A vs ETT, nor in the number of attempts (P >0.05). CONCLUSIONS AND RELEVANCE: The V-gel-A was clinically easy to place and use in both spontaneous and controlled ventilation. The device properly fitted the larynx and was never observed to occlude the airway. However, incomplete occlusion of the oesophagus was frequently observed and may lead to a lack of complete tracheal selectivity.

Incidence and Risk Factors of Arytenoid Dislocation Following Endotracheal Intubation: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

Endotracheal intubation carries risks, including arytenoid dislocation (AD), a rare but severe complication. Due to small sample sizes, the incidence of AD varies considerably among studies. Proposed risk factors for AD include difficult intubation, prolonged intubation, certain surgeries, patient positioning, female sex, and BMI. This review aims to investigate the incidence of AD and explore the various predisposing risk factors. We retrieved relevant studies up to April 2024 from PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, and the Cochrane Library. Using OpenMeta v5.26.14 software (Institute for Clinical Research and Health Policy Studies at Tufts Medical Center, Boston, USA), we pooled AD incidence rates from individual studies. Other outcomes, reported in fewer studies and thus not suitable for meta-analysis, were synthesized manually. Study selection yielded 16 eligible articles. A random-effects model analysis of nine studies found a significant AD incidence rate of 0.093% (confidence interval (CI): 0.045% to 0.14%), but the results were highly heterogeneous (I2 = 91%). Older age was associated with prolonged hoarseness, while younger age and female sex increased the risk of AD. Additionally, AD risk factors included taller stature, higher BMI, specific surgeries, esophageal instrumentation, prolonged procedure durations, head-neck movement, and inexperienced intubators. However, intubation with a stylet reduced the AD risk. AD post-endotracheal intubation is rare (incidence: 0.09%), with potential underdiagnosis in larger datasets. Many risk factors may contribute to the condition, but the small number of studies per risk factor limits the ability to draw robust conclusions. Subjective diagnoses and retrospective studies further restrict comprehensive understanding. Further research is needed to explore AD risk factors effectively.

Effects of Co-administration of Fentanyl and Nitroglycerin on Hemodynamic Responses During Intubation and Extubation: A Randomized Clinical Trial.

PURPOSE: This study was conducted with the aim of investigating the effects of simultaneous administration of fentanyl and nitroglycerine on hemodynamic responses. DESIGN: This randomized controlled trial was conducted with 50 patients undergoing elective inguinal hernia surgery. METHODS: Patients were randomly divided into two groups. In one group, fentanyl (F) was administered 5 minutes before intubation and extubation. In the other group, in addition to F, sublingual nitroglycerine spray was administered 2 minutes before intubation and extubation. Systolic, diastolic, and mean blood pressure and heart rate were measured before, immediately after, and at 1, 3, and 5 minutes after both procedures. FINDINGS: Systolic, diastolic, and mean blood pressure and heart rate were significantly lower in the group receiving fentanyl and nitroglycerine than in the group receiving fentanyl alone. In both groups, a reduction in hemodynamic variables was observed immediately after both procedures, up to 5 minutes later, but it was significantly reduced in the group receiving simultaneous administration of the two drugs. CONCLUSIONS: Co-administration of nitroglycerine and fentanyl significantly weakened the hemodynamic responses and reflexes induced by intubation and extubation during the anesthesia process. Preventing these unwanted complications can lead to safer anesthesia for susceptible patients.

Incidence, characteristics and risk factors of endotracheal tube-related pressure injuries in intensive care units.

BACKGROUND: Medical devices commonly used for the treatment and care of critically ill patients can cause pressure injuries in intensive care units (ICUs). The endotracheal tube (ETT) is one of the most common medical devices to cause pressure injuries. AIM: This study investigated the incidence of, characteristics of and risk factors for ETT-related pressure injuries for ICU patients. STUDY DESIGN: This study adopted a prospective descriptive research design. The sample consisted of 146 endotracheally intubated patients. Data were collected using a patient information form, an Endotracheal Tube-Related Pressure Injuries Assessment Form, the Braden Risk Assessment Tool and the Nutritional Assessment Test. RESULTS: The study revealed that 80.14% of the patients developed ETT-related pressure injuries. Over half of the ETT-related pressure injuries appeared on Day 3 or 4 (56.41%). High body mass index was found to be associated with the development of ETT-related pressure injuries (OR: 1.15, 95% CI: 1.05-1.26, p = .003). None of the other variables were statistically significant in the development of pressure injuries. CONCLUSIONS: The incidence of ETT-related pressure injuries was quite high in the internal, surgical and anaesthesia ICUs. High body mass index was associated with the development of ETT-related pressure injuries. Intensive care nurses should implement interventions to prevent ETT-related pressure injuries in critically ill patients receiving mechanical ventilation support. RELEVANCE TO CLINICAL PRACTICE: ETT-related pressure injuries are common in ICU patients. High body mass index was associated with the development of ETT-related pressure injuries in critically ill patients. The skin and mucosa should be assessed for the development of ETT-related pressure injuries during the daily assessment of the patients receiving mechanical ventilation support. The ETT should be repositioned regularly, and the most suitable ETT fixation method should be used.

Diagnostic accuracy of airway ultrasound in confirming the endotracheal tube depth in critically ill children.

BACKGROUND: Chest X-ray, the established standard of confirming endotracheal tube (ETT) position, has important drawbacks including radiation exposure. Point-of-care airway ultrasound, which has been insufficiently studied in children, can overcome these problems. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This was a prospective cross-sectional study done on children aged 2 months to 17 years undergoing intubation with cuffed ETT in the PICU. The ETT cuff was filled with saline and three ultrasonographic techniques were used- 1) Suprasternal (SS) method 2) Cricoid (CC) metho and 3) Tracheal ring (TR) method. Position of the ETT as determined by ultrasound and X-ray were compared. The main outcomes were sensitivity, specificity, and area under curve (AUC) for ultrasound-based methods vs. X-ray. For the TR method, concordance between the X-ray and ultrasound categories were taken. RESULTS: Total 62 patients were enrolled. The sensitivity and specificity of SS method were 71% (95% CI: 57-83%) and 100% (40-100%). The CC distance method had an AUC of 0.94 (95% CI: 0.86, 1.0). In the TR method, 98% of correct position on X-ray were correctly classified by USG. The agreement between X-ray and ultrasound categories with the cuff between the first and third tracheal rings, was very good [kappa (95% CI): 0.87 (0.70, 1.00), p ≤0.001)]. CONCLUSION: Bedside ultrasound is a good method to confirm ETT depth in children. The tracheal ring method had the best diagnostic accuracy and is easy to perform. The new method using cricoid cuff distance needs further validation in different ICU settings.

Comparison of Tracheal Intubation Using the Air-Q ILA and LMA Blockbuster Among Adults Undergoing Elective Surgery: A Randomized Controlled Trial.

Objective: Air-Q intubating laryngeal airway (ILA) is associated with a 58-77% success rate in blind intubation. The newer laryngeal mask airway (LMA) blockbuster is specially designed to facilitate easier endotracheal intubation and may have a higher success rate. The current study aimed to compare the success rate of endotracheal intubation using the Air-Q ILA and LMA blockbuster. Methods: After ethics committee approval and informed written consent, 140 adult patients with normal airways who were scheduled for elective surgery under general anaesthesia requiring endotracheal intubation were recruited for this randomized controlled trial. Blind endotracheal intubation was performed using the Air-Q ILA in group A and the LMA blockbuster in group B with special maneuvers and/or tubes in the second attempt. Fibreoptic bronchoscope (FOB) guidance was used in the third attempt if required. The primary outcome was the success rate of intubation without FOB assistance. The number of attempts for supraglottic airway (SGA) insertion, the time taken for SGA insertion, and the overall intubation time was also noted. Results: The success rate of intubation without FOB guidance was significantly higher in group B than in group A [91.4% vs 55.7%; relative risk (RR) 1.68; (95% confidence interval (CI) 1.34, 2.11); p<0.0001]. The number of attempts for SGA insertion was similar in groups A and group B [87% vs 90%; RR 1.03; (95% CI-0.92, 1.16); p=0.60]. The times for successful SGA insertion and endotracheal intubation were also similar between the groups. Conclusion: The LMA blockbuster offers a significantly higher success rate for endotracheal intubation without FOB guidance than the Air-Q ILA in adult patients with normal airways. However, an increased success rate was achieved with the use of a specially designed flexible endotracheal tube and maneuvers.

Prevention of ventilator-associated pneumonia by metal-coated endotracheal tubes: a meta-analysis.

PURPOSE: This study aimed to evaluate whether endotracheal tubes (ETTs) with a metal coating reduce the incidence of ventilator-associated pneumonia (VAP) compared to uncoated ETTs. METHODS: An extensive literature review was conducted to find studies that compared metal-coated ETT with uncoated ETT across four databases: PubMed, Embase, Cochrane Library, and Web of Science. The search parameters were set from the inception of each database until June 2024. The primary outcome measures were the rates of VAP and hospital mortality. Two independent researchers carried out the literature selection, data extraction, and quality evaluation. Data analysis was performed with RevMan 5.4.1. Furthermore, a Deeks funnel plot was used to evaluate potential publication bias in the studies included. RESULTS: Following the screening process, five randomized controlled trials (RCTs) encompassing a total of 2157 patients were identified. In terms of the primary outcome, the VAP incidence was found to be lower in the group utilizing metal-coated ETT compared to those with uncoated ETT, demonstrating a statistically significant difference [RR = 0.71, 95% CI (0.54-0.95), P = 0.02]. No notable difference in mortality rates was observed between the two groups [RR = 1.05, 95% CI (0.86-1.27), P = 0.65]. Concerning secondary outcomes, two studies were evaluated to compare the mechanical ventilation duration (RR = 0.60, 95% CI (- 0.52, 1.72), P = 0.29, I2 = 97%) and intensive care unit (ICU) stay for both patient groups (RR = 0.47, 95% CI (- 1.02, 1.95), P = 0.54, I2 = 50%). Due to the marked heterogeneity, a comparison of mechanical ventilation length between the two patient groups was not feasible. However, both studies suggested no significant difference in ventilation duration between patients using metal-coated ETT and those with uncoated ETT. CONCLUSIONS: Metal-coated ETT show a lower occurrence of VAP compared to the uncoated ETT. Nevertheless, they do not considerably decrease the length of mechanical ventilation, the duration of ICU admission, nor do they reduce hospital mortality rates. SYSTEMATIC REVIEW REGISTRATION: https://www.crd.york.ac.uk/prospero/ , identifier CRD42024560618.