Failed Intubation Attempt in the ED? Switch to Video Laryngoscopy

After an initial failure, emergency department intubators were more successful with the C-MAC video laryngoscope than with a direct laryngoscope, regardless of which device was used initially.

Although video laryngoscopy has repeatedly been shown to be superior to direct laryngoscopy (NEJM JW Emerg Med Mar 21 2014, NEJM JW Emerg Med Oct 1 2010, and NEJM JW Emerg Med Jun 7 2013), there has not yet been any specific directive instructing emergency department (ED) intubators to use video laryngoscopy primarily. In a study of adult intubations at a single ED over a 5-year period, researchers compared second-attempt (rescue) success rates with the C-MAC video laryngoscope (VL) versus a direct laryngoscope (DL). The authors included only intubations in which the same operator performed the initial and second attempt.

Among 398 cases, the C-MAC was used for the second attempt in 141 and the DL in 94. Success rates were higher when the se…

Reviewing Author

Ali S. Raja, MD, MBA, MPH, FACEP

Disclosures

Leadership Positions in Professional SocietiesSociety for Academic Emergency Medicine (Board Member); American College of Healthcare Executives – Massachusetts (Board Member)

Ali S. Raja, MD, MBA, MPH, FACEP

Disclosures

Leadership Positions in Professional SocietiesSociety for Academic Emergency Medicine (Board Member); American College of Healthcare Executives – Massachusetts (Board Member)

Failed Intubation Attempt in the ED? Switch to Video Laryngoscopy

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Reviewing Author