Khandelwal, Khorsand S, Mitchell SH, Joffe AM. Anesth Analg.
Anesth Analg 2016 Feb 10. [Epub ahead of print]
BACKGROUND:
Based on the data from elective surgical patients, positioning patients in a back-up head-elevated position for preoxygenation and tracheal intubation can improve patient safety. However, data specific to the emergent setting are lacking. We hypothesized that back-up head-elevated positioning would be associated with a decrease in complications related to tracheal intubation in the emergency room environment.
CONCLUSIONS:
Placing patients in a back-up head-elevated position, compared with supine position, during emergency tracheal intubation was associated with a reduced odds of airway-related complications.
