C-MAC Video Laryngoscope Is Superior to the Macintosh Direct Laryngoscope for ED Intubations

In a retrospective, observational study of 750 intubations at a single academic emergency department (ED), the authors compared success rates with the C-MAC video laryngoscope (size 3 or 4 blade) and the Macintosh direct laryngoscope (size 3 or 4 blade). The C-MAC was used in 255 cases and the Macintosh in 495.

Intubation was more successful with the C-MAC than the Macintosh (97% vs. 84%) and more often demonstrated a Cormack-Lehane grade I or II laryngeal view (94% vs. 83%). Predicted difficult airway was the reason for choosing the device in 37% of C-MAC intubations versus 2% of Macintosh intubations.