Laryngoscopic visualization grade predicts difficult intubations by air medical crews in the prehospital setting

Abstract

An objective physical predictor of the difficulty of a prehospital airway may be useful for rapid assessment of a patient at the start of airway management. The Cormack–Lehane laryngoscopic grading system of the glottic aperture and upper airway has been demonstrated to be associated with higher intubation failure rates with grade 3 and 4 visualizations in the anesthesia literature.