Emergency intubation with the Combitube: comparison with the endotracheal airway.

STUDY OBJECTIVE

To evaluate the safety and effectiveness of the Combitude as used by ICU nurses under medical supervision compared with endotracheal airway established by ICU physicians during CPR.

DESIGN

Prospective study of ICU patients over a seven-month period.

SETTING

Medical ICU.

PARTICIPANTS

Thirty-seven patients suffering from cardiac arrest.

INTERVENTIONS

Emergency intubation with either the Combitube by nurses or the endotracheal airway by physicians and subsequent mechanical ventilation.

MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS

Evaluation of blood gases after 20 minutes of mechanical ventilation. Intubation time was shorter for the Combitube (P < .001). Blood gases for each device showed comparable results; PaO2 was slightly higher during ventilation with the Combitube (P < .001).

CONCLUSION

The Combitube as used by ICU nurses was as effective as establishment of the endotracheal airway by intensivists during CPR. The Combitube may be used whenever endotracheal intubation cannot be performed immediately.