Failed Intubation Attempt in the ED? Switch to Video Laryngoscopy

Ali S. Raja, MD, MBA, MPH, FACEP   After an initial failure, emergency department intubators were more successful with the C-MAC video laryngoscope than with a direct laryngoscope, regardless of which device was used initially.   Although video laryngoscopy has repeatedly been shown to be superior to direct laryngoscopy (NEJM JW Emerg... Read more..

Another Retrospective Observational Study Criticizes Etomidate

Daniel J. Pallin, MD, MPH   Yet another attempt to use retrospective methods to discredit a valuable medication   Etomidate is one of the standard agents for induction during rapid sequence intubation when cardiovascular stability is a concern, because it causes minimal hypotension and has a very short duration of action. Randomized trials have... Read more..

A Prehospital Apneic Oxygenation Protocol Correlates with Fewer Desaturations

Daniel J. Pallin, MD, MPH   But reasons why are not clear from this study.   Prior small studies have demonstrated that paralyzed patients desaturate less rapidly when high –flow oxygen is provided via a nasal cannula, which supports the concept that oxygen passively circulates through the glottis and into the alveoli. A paramedic... Read more..

The Difficult Airway Course Opens 2015 Schedule in Orlando

Airway Management Education Center is pleased to announce the first 2015 offering of The Difficult Airway CourseTM. Two intensive CME programs will be held in Orlando, Florida, March 6 - 8 at the Hyatt Grand Cypress.   The Difficult Airway Course: Emergency provides an immersion experience in difficult and failed airway management... Read more..

A Letter to Our Readers – A Farewell from Editor-in-Chief Ron Walls

Dear Readers,   Happy New Year! I hope you had a restful and memorable holiday, surrounded by loved ones. The New Year often brings change, and this year brings a very big change for me. On January 1, 2015, I began a new role as Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer... Read more..