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To evaluate success rates for prehospital intubations, researchers in Australia reviewed 551 intubations for adults with presumed primary neurologic events causing coma (Glasgow Coma Scale scores ≤9) between 2008 and 2011. All patients received fentanyl, midazolam, and succinylcholine; patients aged 60 and older received half-dose sedation.
On paramedic arrival, seizure was noted in 16% of patients. The intubation success rate was 98%. Of 12 patients not intubated within 2 attempts, all had oxygen saturations above 88% on emergency department arrival. Four patients suffered peri-intubation cardiac arrests; three patients developed asystole, one of which was due to an esophageal intubation, and one patient developed ventricular fibrillation; …