Use a Bag-Valve Mask, Not a Non-Rebreather Mask, for Preoxygenating Before Intubation

The BVM achieved FeO₂ concentrations similar to an anesthesia circuit in healthy volunteers.

Preoxygenation is critical prior to intubation, especially in the emergency department (ED), where this reservoir of oxygen can help mitigate unexpected hurdles encountered during intubation. There are a number of different techniques available for providing oxygen to patients before intubation, including non-rebreather masks and bag-valve-masks (BVMs), with or without concurrent use of a nasal cannula. To compare the effectiveness of these techniques, researchers measured fractional expired oxygen (FeO₂) concentration in 30 healthy ED staff volunteers after 3 minutes of tidal volume breathing with an anesthesia circuit and with combinations of the devices, in random order.

Mean FeO₂ levels achieved with the anesthesia circuit (81%) and with…

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)

Use a Bag-Valve Mask, Not a Non-Rebreather Mask, for Preoxygenating Before Intubation

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Reviewing Author