key: cord-0078307-4rdvtih7
authors: Mehta, Mahendi
title: Abstract No.: ABS0125: Study of airway management in 50 COVID positive patients in ICU
date: 2022-03-03
journal: Indian J Anaesth
DOI: 10.4103/0019-5049.340674
sha: f4be609f02b84012a234a5e10dc1a8ff94906073
doc_id: 78307
cord_uid: 4rdvtih7

BACKGROUND & AIMS: The aim was to successfully perform airway management by securing definite airway via endotracheal tube in emergency or semi- emergency situation in first attempt without causing any trauma to the patient. METHODS: In our ICU, tracheal intubation was done for patients with COVID-19 which was based on clinical criteria as per the institute protocol. Intubation was performed by an expert in airway management using method of rapid sequence intubation anddirect laryngoscope. Propofol or etomidate were used as induction agent and succinylcholine or rocuronium as musclerelaxant, according to the patient profile. Intubation box, acrylic face shield and personal protective equipment were also used for safety. Various pathological factors also contribute to difficulty in airway management such as edema and ulceration ofepiglottis and vocal cords. RESULTS: Despite a multitude of technical and pathological factors contributing to difficult airway management,in this study of total 50 patients, 45 patients were intubated successfully in the first attempt, 4 patients were intubated in second attempt and 1 patient was intubated after 3 attempts using bougie with some trauma to the patient. All the intubations were performed using direct laryngoscope and rapid sequence intubation by an expert airway manager. [Image: see text] CONCLUSION: Therefore, to conclude, in the majority of the COVID 19 ICU patients, airway management was done successfully in the first attempt in emergency situation by the expert airway manager.

The aim was to successfully perform airway management by securing definite airway via endotracheal tube in emergency or semi-emergency situation in first attempt without causing any trauma to the patient.

Methods: In our ICU, tracheal intubation was done for patients with COVID-19 which was based on clinical criteria as per the institute protocol. Intubation was performed by an expert in airway management using method of rapid sequence intubation anddirect laryngoscope. Propofol or etomidate were used as induction agent and succinylcholine or rocuronium as musclerelaxant, according to the patient profile. Intubation box, acrylic face shield and personal protective equipment were also used for safety. Various pathological factors also contribute to difficulty in airway management such as edema and ulceration ofepiglottis and vocal cords.

Results: Despite a multitude of technical and pathological factors contributing to difficult airway management,in this study of total 50 patients, 45 patients were intubated successfully in the first attempt, 4 patients were intubated in second attempt and 1 patient was intubated after 3 attempts using bougie with some trauma to the patient. All the intubations were performed using direct laryngoscope and rapid sequence intubation by an expert airway manager.

Conclusion: Therefore, to conclude, in the majority of the COVID 19 ICU patients, airway management was done successfully in the first attempt in emergency situation by the expert airway manager.

Emergency Airway Management in Patients with COVID-19: A Prospective International Multicenter Cohort Study

Difficult airway management in COVID times