Inadequate oxygenation and ventilation using the esophageal gastric tube airway in the prehospital setting.

In a prospective study to evaluate the respiratory effectiveness of the esophageal gastric tube airway (EGTA) in the prehospital setting, we analyzed arterial blood samples from 43 victims of out-of-hospital cardiopulmonary arrest managed with the EGTA. Five minutes after emergency department endotracheal intubation, arterial blood gas analysis was repeated for comparison. During EGTA ventilation, the mean arterial PO2 measured 83.6 +/- 110.4 mm Hg; endotracheal intubation increased the mean PO2 to 189 +/- 167.5 mm Hg. During EGTA ventilation, the mean arterial PCO2 measured 77.1 +/- 34 mm Hg; endotracheal intubation decreased the mean PCO2 to 57.8 +/- 34.4 mm Hg. We conclude that endotracheal intubation remains the procedure of choice for airway management in the victim of cardiopulmonary arrest.