Transtracheal O2 insufflation (TOI) as an alternative method of ventilation during cardiopulmonary resuscitation.

We examined the efficiency of continuous transtracheal O2 insufflation (TOI) as a method of ventilation during cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) in a canine model. The tip of the insufflation catheter was placed 1 cm above the carina. The effects of TOI at flow rates of 0.2, 0.5, and 1.0 l/kg per min during and after CPR were examined in dogs with induced ventricular fibrillation. During CPR, adequate oxygenation and ventilation were maintained with TOI at flow rates of 0.5 and 1.0 l/kg per min, but not at 0.2 l/kg per min. After CPR, TOI was adequate to maintain oxygenation, but not ventilation. TOI alone did not prevent post-CPR hypercarbia in successfully resuscitated animals. Still, this study suggests that TOI might be useful as a temporary measure for emergency ventilation during CPR, especially in situations such as upper airway abnormalities, when mask ventilation or endotracheal intubation is not feasible.