High-flow oxygen delivery via nasal cannula improved oxygen saturations and prevented desaturation in patients with difficult airways undergoing flexible bronchoscopic intubation.
Flexible bronchoscopic intubation, although not a common procedure in the emergency department, is usually performed in the setting of a airway difficulty. Maintaining adequate oxygenation during intubation is challenging because of sedation, patient illness, and the procedure itself. Low-flow oxygen delivery systems are often insufficient for creating oxygen reservoirs and preventing desaturation.
In a prospective observational study, investigators evaluated use of high-flow humidified oxygen delivered via nasal cannula in a convenience sample of 50 adults with predicted difficult airways undergoing flexible fiberoptic intubation in the operating room. Patients were oxygenated and intubated upright with flow rates of 50–70 L/minute. All pat…
Reviewing Author
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