A new pharmacological approach for tracheal intubation?

Anaesthesia induced with remimazolam and a fentanyl-series opioid can be reversed with flumazenil and naloxone. Concomitant paralysis with rocuronium can facilitate tracheal intubation whilst being reversible with sugammadex. Together, this combination might offer full reversibility of a 'routine' or a 'rapid-sequence' induction anaesthesia. Whether this is useful, or even safe, requires careful evaluation.

A Descriptive Analysis of Air Medical Pediatric Rapid Sequence Intubation: Successes and Opportunities.

OBJECTIVE: Advanced airway management, including the use of rapid sequence intubation (RSI), is fundamental in resuscitation. However, the reported experience with pediatric airway management is limited because of the relatively low number of emergency RSI procedures in children. The aim of this study was to document the experience with pediatric RSI in a large air medical database and explore opportunities for improvement. METHODS: All pediatric patients (age < 18 years) undergoing RSI by air medical crews between 2015 and 2019 were included in this analysis. Subjects were divided a priori into 3 age subgroups (0-2 years, 3-8 years, and 9-17 years). The primary variables of interest included overall intubation success, first-attempt intubation success, and first-attempt intubation success without desaturation. The rates of positive-pressure ventilation (PPV) use for preoxygenation and oxygen desaturation were also explored. RESULTS: A total of 1,091 pediatric RSI patients were included. The overall intubation success rate was 98% (0-2 years = 96%, 3-8 years = 97%, and 9-17 years = 98%), with 91% intubated on the first attempt (0-2 years = 86%, 3-8 years = 90%, and 9-17 years = 92%) and 87% intubated on the first attempt without oxygen desaturation (0-2 years = 80%, 3-8 years = 88%, and 9-17 years = 90%). A sharp decline in intubation success was observed with preoxygenation SpO2 values < 97% across all patients. Younger patients (0-2 years) had lower initial SpO2 values and decreased first-attempt success rates with and without desaturation. These patients were less likely to receive PPV during preoxygenation attempts and had lower use of video laryngoscopy or a bougie on the initial intubation attempt. CONCLUSION: In this study, we documented high success rates for air medical pediatric RSI. Higher target SpO2 values may be justified during preoxygenation. Intubation success, PPV use for preoxygenation, video laryngoscopy, and the use of a bougie were lower for younger patients.

Implementation of a Rapid Sequence Intubation Checklist Improves First-Pass Success and Reduces Peri-Intubation Hypoxia in Air Medical Transport.

OBJECTIVE: Rapid sequence intubation (RSI) is a critical skill commonly performed by air medical teams in the United States. To improve safety and reduce potential patient harm, checklists have been implemented by various institutions in intensive care units, emergency departments, and even prehospital air medical programs. However, the literature suggests that checklist use before RSI has not shown improvement in clinically important outcomes in the hospital. It is unclear if RSI checklist use by air medical crews in prehospital environments confers any clinically important benefit. METHODS: This institutional review board-approved project is a before-and-after observational study conducted within a large helicopter ambulance company. The RSI checklist was used by flight crewmembers (flight paramedic/nurse) for over 3 years. Data were evaluated for 8 quarters before and 8 quarters after checklist implementation, spanning December 2014 to March 2019. Data were collected, including the self-reported use of the checklist during intubation attempts, the reason for intubation, and correlation with difficult airway predictors (HEAVEN [Hypoxemia, Extremes of size, Anatomic disruption, Vomit, Exsanguination, Neck mobility/Neurologic injury] criteria), and compared with airway management before the implementation of the checklist. The primary outcome was improved first-pass success (FPS) when compared among those who received RSI before the checklist versus those who received RSI with the checklist. The secondary outcome was a definitive airway sans hypoxia improvement noted on the first pass among adult patients as measured before and after RSI checklist implementation. Post-RSI outcome scenarios were recorded to analyze and validate the effectiveness of the checklist. RESULTS: Ten thousand four hundred five intubations were attempted during the study. FPS was achieved in 90.9% of patients before RSI checklist implementation, and 93.3% achieved FPS postimplementation of the RSI checklist (P ≤ .001). In the preimplementation epoch, 36.2% of patients had no HEAVEN predictors versus 31.5% after RSI checklist implementation. These data showed that before RSI checklist implementation, airways were defined as less difficult than after implementation. CONCLUSION: The implementation of a standardized RSI checklist provided a better identification of deterring factors, affording efficient and accurate actions promoting FPS. Our data suggest that when a difficult airway is identified, using the RSI checklist improves FPS, thereby reducing adverse events.

Comparison of rocuronium priming vs. standard rapid sequence intubation technique in emergency department patients requiring intubation.

OBJECTIVE: In our study, we aimed to compare the effect of standard rapid sequence intubation protocol and the application of rocuronium priming technique on the procedure time and hemodynamic profile. METHODS: Patients who applied to the emergency department and needed rapid sequence intubation were included in our study, which we conducted with a randomized controlled design. Randomization in the study was made according to the order of arrival of the cases. Rapid sequence intubation was performed in the standard group. In the priming group, 10% of the rocuronium dose was administered approximately 3 min before the induction agent. Intubation time, amount of drug used, vital signs, and end-tidal CO2 level before and after intubation used to confirm intubation were recorded. RESULTS: A total of 52 patients were included in the study, of which 26 patients were included in the standard group and 26 patients in the priming group. While intubation time was 121.2±21.9 s in the standard group, it was calculated as 68.4±11.6 s in the priming group (p<0.001). While the mean arterial pressure was 58.3±26.6 mmHg in the standard group after intubation, it was 80.6±21.1 mmHg in the priming group (p=0.002). CONCLUSION: It was observed that priming with rocuronium shortened the intubation time and preserved the hemodynamic profile better. CLINICAL TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER: NCT05343702.

Factors Associated With Desaturation in Prehospital Rapid Sequence Intubation in a Helicopter Emergency Medical Service.

OBJECTIVE: Desaturation during prehospital rapid sequence intubation (RSI) is common and is associated with patient morbidity. Past studies have identified oxygen saturations at induction, the grade of laryngoscopy, and multiple attempts to intubate as being associated with desaturation. This study aimed to investigate whether there are other factors, identifiable before RSI, associated with desaturation. METHODS: This was a study of a physician-paramedic critical care team operating as Aeromedical Operations, NSW Ambulance. Prehospital RSIs (using paralysis) were studied retrospectively via patient case notes, monitor data, and an airway database. The review occurred between April 1, 2016, and December 31, 2018. Desaturation was defined as monitor recordings of saturations ≤ 92%. Logistic regression was performed for factors likely to be associated with desaturation. RESULTS: Desaturation occurred in 67 of 350 (19.1%) RSIs. Factors significantly associated with desaturation included male sex, a chest injury, increased weight, and lower saturations pre-RSI. CONCLUSION: Increased weight, chest injuries, and lower oxygen saturations are associated with desaturation at RSI. The variable male sex may be a surrogate for other as-yet unidentified factors.

Predictive and protective factors for failing first pass intubation in prehospital rapid sequence intubation: an aetiology and risk systematic review with meta-analysis.

BACKGROUND: Prehospital rapid sequence intubation first pass success rates vary between 59% and 98%. Patient morbidity is associated with repeat intubation attempts. Understanding what influences first pass success can guide improvements in practice. We performed an aetiology and risk systematic review to answer the research question 'what factors are associated with success or failure at first attempt laryngoscopy in prehospital rapid sequence intubation?'. METHODS: MEDLINE, EMBASE, CINAHL, and Cochrane Library were searched on March 3, 2023 for studies examining first pass success rates for rapid sequence intubation of prehospital live patients. Screening was performed via Covidence, and data synthesised by meta-analysis. The review was registered with PROSPERO and performed and reported as per Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines. RESULTS: Reasonable evidence was discovered for predictive and protective factors for failure of first pass intubation. Predictive factors included age younger than 1 yr, the presence of blood or fluid in the airway, restricted jaw or neck movement, trauma patients, nighttime procedures, chronic or acute distortions of normal face/upper airway anatomy, and equipment issues. Protective factors included an experienced intubator, adequate training, use of certain videolaryngoscopes, elevating the patient on a stretcher in an inclined position, use of a bougie, and laryngeal manoeuvres. CONCLUSIONS: Managing bloody airways, positioning well, using videolaryngoscopes with bougies, and appropriate training should be further explored as opportunities for prehospital services to increase first pass success. Heterogeneity of studies limits stronger conclusions. SYSTEMATIC REVIEW PROTOCOL: PROSPERO (CRD42022353609).

The Effect of Full-Dose Versus Half-Dose Ketamine for Induction During Rapid Sequence Intubation on Patient Outcomes.

Prehospital rapid sequence intubation (RSI), like inpatient RSI, is not without risk of adverse effects to the patient. The most notable of these adverse effects is postintubation hemodynamic instability. Air medical providers choose induction agents for critically ill patients who require emergent airway management, some of whom may already be hemodynamically unstable prior to RSI. Ketamine is often selected as the induction agent of choice for patients who are either unstable before RSI or have a high index of suspicion of becoming unstable in the postintubation period. Although widely considered to have a good safety profile for induction, ketamine administration has been correlated with episodes of postintubation hypotension. In this retrospective literature review, the effect of using half-dose ketamine for induction in patients who show pre-RSI instability (systolic blood pressure <90 mm Hg or body mass index >30) on postintubation hemodynamics is examined.

Evaluation of a rapid sequence induction technique in dogs with or without rocuronium.

OBJECTIVE: To determine, using a rapid sequence induction (RSI) technique, whether rocuronium improves the quality and speed of endotracheal intubation in healthy dogs. STUDY DESIGN: Randomized, crossover, experimental study. ANIMALS: Six adult intact male Beagles (12.3 ± 0.4 kg). METHODS: Dogs were premedicated with intravenous acepromazine (0.03 mg kg-1) and hydromorphone (0.1 mg kg-1). Ten minutes later, anesthesia was induced with intravenous propofol (2 mg kg-1 over 5 seconds), followed by saline (0.06 mL kg-1, CT group) or rocuronium (0.6 mg kg-1, RT group), with orotracheal intubation attempted after 45 seconds. Intubation time (IT) and conditions (IC) were assessed. PaO2, PaCO2, arterial blood pH and serum cortisol were obtained before and after RSI. After endotracheal intubation, saline (0.04 mL kg-1) or sugammadex (4 mg kg-1) were administered intravenously in CT or RT groups, respectively. Spontaneous ventilation restoration was noted. RESULTS: The IT was 54.3 ± 6.9 (mean ± SD) and 57.8 ± 5.2 seconds for CT and RT, respectively (p = 0.385). All laryngoscopies indicated good IC in both treatment groups. Heart rate was lower in CT group than in RT group (66 ± 16 versus 103 ± 39 beats minute-1, p = 0.016). PaCO2, pH, PaO2 and cortisol did not differ between treatments. Compared with baseline, PaCO2 increased from 47.7 ± 6.2 to 58.8 ± 5.8 (p < 0.001) and pH decreased from 7.35 ± 0.04 to 7.28 ± 0.04 (p = 0.003), independent of treatment. Dogs in both treatment groups returned to spontaneous ventilation within 30 seconds of RSI. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE: RSI resulted in respiratory acidosis without hypoxemia or increased cortisol. Rocuronium did not improve IT or IC. Spontaneous ventilation was observed immediately after administering saline or sugammadex. The co-administration of rocuronium showed no clinical benefits over propofol alone in RSI in healthy dogs.

Rapid sequence induction of anesthesia: works in progress and steps forward with focus to oxygenation and monitoring techniques.

The description of the main scientifically consolidated innovations in recent years on Rapid Sequence Induction have been the subject of this narrative review. Data sources were PubMed, EMBASE, Web of Science, the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, and ClinicaTrials.gov, searched up to March 21st, 2023; rapid sequence induction and anesthesia were used as key word for the research. In recent years at least three significant innovations which have improved the procedure: firstly the possibility of using drugs which rapidly reverse the action of the myorelaxants and which have made it possible to give up the use of succinylcholine, replaced by rocuronium; secondly, the possibility of using much more effective pre-oxygenation methods than in the past, also through apneic oxygenation techniques which allow longer apnea time, and finally new monitoring systems much more effective than pulse oximetry in identifying and predicting periprocedural hypoxemia and indicating the need for ventilation in patients at risk of hypoxemia and preventing it. The description of three main scientifically consolidated innovations in recent years, in pharmacology, oxygen method of administration and monitoring, have been the subject of this narrative review.

High-Flow Nasal Cannula versus Bag Valve Mask for Preoxygenation during Rapid Sequence Intubation in the Emergency Department: A Single-Center, Prospective, Randomized Controlled Trial.

OBJECTIVE: Hypoxia is a frequently reported complication during the intubation procedure in the emergency department (ED) and may cause bad outcomes. Therefore, oxygenation plays an important role in emergency airway management. The efficacy of oxygenation with high-flow nasal cannula (HFNC) in the ED has been studied, though the evidence is limited. The study aim was to compare two methods of preoxygenation in patients undergoing rapid sequence intubation (RSI) in the ED: (1) HFNC and (2) bag-valve mask (BVM) oxygenation. METHODS: This is a single-center, prospective, randomized controlled trial (RCT) in adult ED patients requiring RSI. Patients were randomized to receive preoxygenation with either HFNC or BVM. While HFNC therapy was continued during the intubation procedure, BVM oxygenation was interrupted for laryngoscopy. The primary outcome was the lowest peripheral oxygen saturation (SpO2) level during intubation. Secondary outcomes were incidence of desaturation (SpO2<90%) and severe hypoxemia (SpO2<80%) throughout the procedure, intubation time, rate of failed intubation, and 30-day survival rates. RESULTS: A total of 135 patients were randomized into two groups (HFNC n = 68; BVM n = 67). The median lowest SpO2 value measured during intubation was 96% (88.8%-99.0%) in the HFNC group and 92% (86.0%-97.5%) in the BVM group (P = .161). During the intubation procedure, severe hypoxemia occurred in 13.2% (n = 9) of patients in the HFNC group and 8.9% (n = 6) in the BVM group, while mild hypoxemia was observed in 35.8% (n = 24) of the BVM group and 26.5% (n = 18) of the HFNC group. However, there was no statistically significant difference between the groups in terms of hypoxemia development (P = .429 and P = .241, respectively). No significant difference was reported in the rate of failed intubation between the groups. Thirty-day mortality was observed in 73.1% of the BVM group and 57.4% of the HFNC group, with a borderline statistically significant difference (difference 15.7; 95% CI of the difference: -0.4 to 30.7; P = .054). CONCLUSION: The use of HFNC for preoxygenation, when compared to standard care with BVM oxygenation, did not improve the lowest SpO2 levels during intubation. Also, the use of HFNC during intubation did not provide benefits in reducing the incidence of severe hypoxemia. However, the 30-day survival rates were slightly better in the HFNC group compared to the BVM group.

The Effect of Ketamine Versus Etomidate for Rapid Sequence Intubation on Maximum Sequential Organ Failure Assessment Score: A Randomized Clinical Trial.

BACKGROUND: The use of induction agents for rapid sequence intubation (RSI) has been associated with hypotension in critically ill patients. Choice of induction agent may be important and the most commonly used agents are etomidate and ketamine. OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to compare the effects of a single dose of ketamine vs. etomidate for RSI on maximum Sequential Organ Failure Assessment (SOFA) score and incidence of hypotension. METHODS: This single-center, randomized, parallel-group trial compared the use of ketamine and etomidate for RSI in critically ill adult patients in the emergency department. The study was performed under Exception from Informed Consent. The primary outcome was the maximum SOFA score within 3 days of hospitalization. RESULTS: A total of 143 patients were enrolled in the trial, 70 in the ketamine group and 73 in the etomidate group. Maximum median SOFA score for the ketamine group was 6.5 (interquartile range [IQR] 5-9) vs. 7 (IQR 5-9) for etomidate with no significant difference (-0.2; 95% CI -1.4 to 1.1; p = 0.79). The incidence of post-intubation hypotension was 28% in the ketamine group vs. 26% in the etomidate group (difference 2%; 95% CI -13% to 17%). There were no significant differences in intensive care unit outcomes. Thirty-day mortality rate for the ketamine group was 11% (8 deaths) and for the etomidate group was 21% (15 deaths), which was not statistically different. CONCLUSIONS: There were no significant differences in maximum SOFA score or post-intubation hypotension between critically ill adults receiving ketamine vs. etomidate for RSI.

Society of Critical Care Medicine Clinical Practice Guidelines for Rapid Sequence Intubation in the Critically Ill Adult Patient.

RATIONALE: Controversies and practice variations exist related to the pharmacologic and nonpharmacologic management of the airway during rapid sequence intubation (RSI). OBJECTIVES: To develop evidence-based recommendations on pharmacologic and nonpharmacologic topics related to RSI. DESIGN: A guideline panel of 20 Society of Critical Care Medicine members with experience with RSI and emergency airway management met virtually at least monthly from the panel's inception in 2018 through 2020 and face-to-face at the 2020 Critical Care Congress. The guideline panel included pharmacists, physicians, a nurse practitioner, and a respiratory therapist with experience in emergency medicine, critical care medicine, anesthesiology, and prehospital medicine; consultation with a methodologist and librarian was available. A formal conflict of interest policy was followed and enforced throughout the guidelines-development process. METHODS: Panelists created Population, Intervention, Comparison, and Outcome (PICO) questions and voted to select the most clinically relevant questions for inclusion in the guideline. Each question was assigned to a pair of panelists, who refined the PICO wording and reviewed the best available evidence using predetermined search terms. The Grading of Recommendations, Assessment, Development, and Evaluations (GRADE) framework was used throughout and recommendations of "strong" or "conditional" were made for each PICO question based on quality of evidence and panel consensus. Recommendations were provided when evidence was actionable; suggestions, when evidence was equivocal; and best practice statements, when the benefits of the intervention outweighed the risks, but direct evidence to support the intervention did not exist. RESULTS: From the original 35 proposed PICO questions, 10 were selected. The RSI guideline panel issued one recommendation (strong, low-quality evidence), seven suggestions (all conditional recommendations with moderate-, low-, or very low-quality evidence), and two best practice statements. The panel made two suggestions for a single PICO question and did not make any suggestions for one PICO question due to lack of evidence. CONCLUSIONS: Using GRADE principles, the interdisciplinary panel found substantial agreement with respect to the evidence supporting recommendations for RSI. The panel also identified literature gaps that might be addressed by future research.