The Failed Airway
The Failed Airway Jarrod M. Mosier Matthew E. Prekker INTRODUCTION In critically ill patients, the principal goals of airway management are to maintain oxygenation and avoid life-threatening complications before, during,…
Tracheal Intubation Using Optical Stylets
Tracheal Intubation Using Optical Stylets Rania B. Fashir Khader S. Zimmo Orlando Hung INTRODUCTION While tracheal intubation under direct laryngoscopy using a straight blade (Miller laryngoscope), or a curved blade…
Flexible Endoscopic Intubation
Flexible Endoscopic Intubation Robert F. Reardon Matthew E. Prekker INTRODUCTION Flexible endoscopic intubation (FEI) is an invaluable technique for difficult airway management. Unlike other intubation devices, a flexible endoscope can…
Video Laryngoscopy
Video Laryngoscopy John C. Sakles Brian E. Driver Calvin A. Brown III INTRODUCTION In the past, direct laryngoscopy (DL) was the primary laryngoscope for performing tracheal intubation. When performing DL,…
Extraglottic Devices
Extraglottic Devices Darren Braude Erik G. Laurin Leslie V. Simon INTRODUCTION AND TERMINOLOGY Extraglottic devices (EGDs) are inserted into the upper esophagus or hypopharynx, but not through the glottis, to…
Bag-Mask Ventilation
Bag-Mask Ventilation Robert F. Reardon Brian E. Driver INTRODUCTION Bag-mask ventilation (BMV) is a fundamental airway skill. BMV is the initial mode of ventilation for patients with unexpected respiratory failure…
Maximizing First-Attempt Success
Maximizing First-Attempt Success Brian E. Driver Robert F. Reardon INTRODUCTION Achieving first-attempt intubation success is crucial for critically ill patients undergoing intubation. Failure to intubate successfully on the first attempt…
Positioning
Positioning Katelin Morrissette Garrett S. Pacheco INTRODUCTION While preparing for intubation, the operator must adjust the patient’s position to optimize laryngoscopy, endotracheal tube delivery, and to reduce the risk of…
Preoxygenation and Apneic Oxygenation
Preoxygenation and Apneic Oxygenation Brian E. Driver Robert F. Reardon INTRODUCTION Hypoxemia during airway management in critically ill patients is associated with dysrhythmias, hypoxic brain injury, and cardiac arrest. Hypoxemia…
Physiologic Optimization
Physiologic Optimization Abram Feldman Raquel R. Bartz INTRODUCTION Managing a patient’s airway requires considering the patient as a whole, even as securing the airway itself may be the most salient…
