Addition of a video camera system improves the ease of Airtraq® tracheal intubation during chest compression

Abstract

Recent resuscitation guidelines for cardiopulmonary resuscitation emphasize that rescuers should perform tracheal intubation with minimal interruption of chest compressions. We evaluated the use of video guidance to facilitate tracheal intubation with the Airtraq (ATQ) laryngoscope during chest compression. Eighteen novice physicians in our anesthesia department performed tracheal intubation on a manikin using the ATQ with a video camera system (ATQ-V) or with no video guidance (ATQ-N) during chest compression. All participants were able to intubate the manikin using the ATQ-N without chest compression, but five failed during chest compression (P<0.05). In contrast, all participants successfully secured the airway with the ATQ-V, with or without chest compression. Concurrent chest compression increased the time required for intubation with the ATQ-N (without chest compression 14.8±4.5s; with chest compression, 28.2±10.6s; P<0.05), but not with the ATQ-V (without chest compression, 15.9±5.8s; with chest compression, 17.3±5.3s; P>0.05). The ATQ video camera system improves the ease of tracheal intubation during chest compressions.