Early-onset pneumonia following bag-mask ventilation versus endotracheal intubation during cardiopulmonary resuscitation: A subset of the CAAM trial

Abstract

Airway management in patients experiencing out of hospital cardiac arrest (OHCA) is a vital aspect of providing care to these critical patients. Endotracheal intubation (ETI) has long been considered the gold standard, as this provides a means of providing ventilation while protecting against aspiration. Recent studies have challenged this theory, demonstrating no statistical difference in mortality when compared to bag-mask ventilation (BMV). However, the Cardiac Arrest Airway Management Trial (CAAM) demonstrated a higher rate of aspiration with BMV. Theoretically, longer periods of BMV in the place of early ETI in patients with cardiopulmonary arrest places them at greater risk of aspiration and subsequent development of early onset pneumonia (EOP).