In patients with predicted difficult airways intubated in the operating room, the GlideScope had a higher first-attempt intubation success rate than the C-MAC D-Blade.
Video laryngoscopy (VL) improves intubation success in patients with predicted difficult airways primarily by ensuring glottic visualization. While VL with acute-angled devices has been compared to direct laryngoscopy, there is little information about the clinical equipoise between different hypercurved blades in this setting.
In a noninferiority trial, investigators in three academic hospitals randomized 1100 adult patients undergoing general anesthesia who had markers of intubation difficulty (Mallampati class III or IV, reduced mouth opening, or large neck circumference) to VL with either a GlideScope or C-MAC D-blade. The study was funded by the maker of the C-MAC. Patients with unstable cervical spine fractures or history of previous f…
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