Neuromuscular blocking agent administration for emergent tracheal intubation is associated with decreased prevalence of procedure-related complications*

Abstract

The use of neuromuscular blocking agents, when used by intensivists with a high level of training and experience, is associated with a decrease in procedure-related complications.

Advanced airway management in an anaesthesiologist-staffed Helicopter Emergency Medical Service (HEMS): A retrospective analysis of 1047 out-of-hospital intubations

“…This might seem counterintuitive, as there are studies showing exactly the opposite. 24,25 However, in our study more patients in the "first attempt" airway group were undergoing CPR at the time of the intubation, which might explain the fact that less patients might have received NMBs or anaesthetic drugs, as no pre-hospital anaesthesia had to be initiated in order to intubate them. 9 It might also serve as an explanation for the higher rate of vasopressor administration in the "first attempt" group.…”

The Use of Neuromuscular Blocking Agents in the ICU

“…This does not make it an ideal drug for securing the airway emergently (47,81). A recent study investigated the use of NMBAs for emergent endotracheal intubation in 566 patients from two major tertiary care centers (84). The use of NMBAs was associated with an improvement in intubating conditions and a reduction in both the prevalence of hypoxemia and procedure-related complications (aspiration, traumatic intubation, esophageal intubation, dental injury, and endobronchial intubation) (84).…”

A National Emergency Airway Registry for Children

“…www.ccmjournal.org 875 E mergent tracheal intubation is a life-saving procedure performed for a wide range of indications with wellrecognized associated risks in critically ill children and adults (1)(2)(3)(4)(5)(6)(7)(8)(9)(10)(11)(12)(13)(14). However, the landscape of safety and process of care for this procedure in diverse PICUs has not been reported.…”