Obesity and critical illness are dangerous in combination.
Obesity affects all components of airway management, including oxygenation, bag-valve-mask ventilation, and choice of pharmacologic agents, intubation surgical airway, and rescue devices. In a prospective, multicenter, observational study, researchers in France assessed the incidence of difficult intubation and its associated complications in obese patients in both the intensive care unit (ICU) and operating room (OR).
Of 1400 consecutive patients intubated in the ICU and 11,035 intubated in the OR, 282 (20%) and 2103 (19%), respectively, were obese. In both groups, anesthesiologists performed most intubations. Rates of obstructive sleep apnea, respiratory failure, and Mallampati class III and IV airways were higher in the ICU cohort, while …
Reviewing Authors
DisclosuresNothing to disclose
DisclosuresNothing to disclose
DisclosuresConsultant / Advisory boardVerathon, Inc. (Scientific Advisory Board Member)
Editorial boardsScientific American Emergency Medicine; Manual of Emergency Airway Management (Editor-in-Chief)
Leadership positions in professional societiesPrograms Subcommittee Chair for the Society for Academic Emergency Medicine–Residency and Fellowship Fair
DisclosuresConsultant / Advisory boardVerathon, Inc. (Scientific Advisory Board Member)
Editorial boardsScientific American Emergency Medicine; Manual of Emergency Airway Management (Editor-in-Chief)
Leadership positions in professional societiesPrograms Subcommittee Chair for the Society for Academic Emergency Medicine–Residency and Fellowship Fair