We assess every airway to predict for difficult anatomy: but what about the patient with difficult physiology? This is a discussion about intubating the patients with hemodynamic instability, high ICP, severe hypoxia, and metabolic acidosis.
matters less than choosing the correct DOSE. ! Compensated shock: 50% of the normal dose ! Decompensated shock: 10-25% of the normal dose ! Increase dosing of NMBAs to retain rapid onset despite impaired distribution ! Have push dose pressors drawn up; start preloading with fluids early HOP:
as much care in management (a neuroprotective induction) ! Blunt spikes in ICP from laryngoscopy ! Premedicate with lidocaine and fentanyl ! Consider starting with VL ! Etomidate decreases CMRO2 ! Induction agent of choice in encephalopathic patients that are normotensive or hypertensive
severely hypoxic patient with no oxygen reserve? ! You’re in the Failed Airway Algorithm before you even start ! “Forced to act:” a newly recognized concept in the Difficult Airway Course
with severe metabolic acidosis is fraught with danger (Minute volume likely is the only thing keeping them alive) ! Bicarb doesn’t help ! BiPAP or BVM for preoxygenation ! Needs ventilation between paralysis and intubation ! Ventilate starting at 30 bpm: return to pre-intubation EtCO2 or LOWER