Incidence of transient hypoxia during pre‐hospital rapid sequence intubation by anaesthesiologists

BACKGROUND: Pre-hospital tracheal intubation (TI) is an important but difficult procedure with the potential to produce hypoxaemia. The aim of this study was to determine the incidence of desaturation episodes during out-of-hospital rapid sequence induction (RSI) and TI by the medical team of a German Helicopter Emergency Medical Service (HEMS). METHODS: We performed a prospective study at HEMS 'CHRISTOPH 22'. TI was performed as RSI according to a standard protocol. Desaturation was defined as a reduction in SpO(2) below 90% or a reduction of more than 10% from baseline SpO(2) when initial values were less than 90%. RESULTS: The RSI/TI manoeuvre was attempted in 150 patients [107 male (71.3%); median age 40 years (IQR 21-61); overall success rate 100%]. The…