J Emerg Med
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Multicenter Study Clinical Trial
A prospective multicenter trial testing the SCOTI device for confirmation of endotracheal tube placement.
We sought to characterize the Sonomatic Confirmation of Tracheal Intubation (SCOTI) device's ability to confirm endotracheal tube location during real-time intubation in emergency and elective settings. Data were prospectively collected during a multicenter convenience-sample observational trial of emergency and elective intubation cases. In addition to tracheal and inadvertent esophageal intubations in emergency patients, intentional esophageal intubations were also performed to improve specificity calculations in consenting elective surgical patients. ⋯ We conclude that the SCOTI device has high sensitivity and specificity for tube placement confirmation during tracheal intubation attempts in both emergency and elective settings. It also facilitates tube placement itself during difficult intubations. As such it may be considered an adjunctive device to minimize the potentially fatal complication of esophageal intubation.