Articles: intubation.
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J. Cardiothorac. Vasc. Anesth. · May 2021
Observational StudyPrediction of Double-Lumen Tube Size By Ultrasonography for Asian Women: A Prospective Observational Study.
To assess the agreement of the diameter of the cricoid cartilage by computed tomography and ultrasonography and to compare the accuracy of the left double-lumen tubes (DLTs) and right DLTs predicted by ultrasonography for Asian women. ⋯ The transverse diameter of the cricoid cartilage in most Asian women can be accurately measured by ultrasonography. The size of the DLT for Asian women can be predicted by ultrasonography measurement of the cricoid diameter.
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A comparison of methods used to secure pediatric endotracheal tubes using a live human dermal model.
Endotracheal intubation is a common lifesaving procedure. An in situ endotracheal tube (ETT) must be secured in position to avoid displacement and potentially life-threatening complications. Adhesive tapes form the most common intraoperative ETT stabilization methods. Limited published data are available to guide the clinical decision regarding ETT taping method. We performed an interventional study aiming to establish which of many commonly employed ETT tape/supplementary adhesive methods provides the most resistance to ETT distraction. ⋯ There are significant differences in force required to distract an ETT based on taping methods.
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The global burden of seizure disorders is apparent and necessitates the effective management of patients with status epilepticus (SE). The goal of management is universally accepted as the prompt mitigation of seizure activity with appropriate supportive care. During management, patients may require intubation. In the process of endotracheal tube placement, patients are administered neuromuscular blockers and general anesthesia. Paralytic activity on the neuromuscular junction hinders the emergency physician's ability to effectively observe seizure activity. Moreover, little can be discerned about patient sedation levels for titration. Effective tourniquet placement may be used to separate a region of the body from general circulation, rendering distal tissues unaffected by neuromuscular blockade. ⋯ A 73-year-old white woman presented to the emergency department with a stroke, and her condition generalized into diffuse tonic-clonic seizures. Concern for airway integrity warranted intubation with appropriate induction of paralysis and sedation. A tourniquet was placed proximal to the right knee and tightened until a dorsalis pedis pulse was no longer palpable. Computed tomography and computed tomography angiography of the head revealed no cerebrovascular event. After imaging, purposeful movements were noted in the right lower extremity distal to the tourniquet despite the initiation of standard dose post-intubation sedation with fentanyl (0.5 μg/kg/h) and propofol (20 μg/kg/min). No tonic-clonic activity was observed. With necessary up-titration, movements ceased. WHY SHOULD AN EMERGENCY PHYSICIAN BE AWARE OF THIS?: The observations made support the use of temporally limited tourniquet placement during paralytic administration to assess patient seizure status and sedation levels. Mindful tourniquet use in this manner permits a more effective sedation and management protocol for SE patients coming into the ED and may outweigh the minor risks associated with short-term hypoperfusion.
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The 2019 Coronavirus (COVID-19) results in a wide range of clinical severity and there remains a need for prognostic tools which identify patients at risk of rapid deterioration and who require critical care. Chest radiography (CXR) is routinely obtained at admission of COVID-19 patients. However, little is known regarding correlates between CXR severity and time to intubation. We hypothesize that the degree of opacification on CXR at time of admission independently predicts need and time to intubation. ⋯ • Chest radiography at the time of admission independently predicts time to intubation within 48 h and during the hospital stay in COVID-19 patients. • More opacities on chest radiography are associated with several fold increases in early mechanical ventilation among COVID-19 patients. • Chest radiography is useful in identifying COVID-19 patients whom may rapidly deteriorate and help inform clinical management as well as hospital bed and ventilation allocation.