Sunday, January 21, 2018

Intubation in Trauma

Q: 22 years old male is admitted to ICU with abdominal Gunshot Wound (GSW). Surgical service is planning to take patient to the OR. Patient Blood Pressure is 110/60 mm Hg and heart rate is 120 bpm. Patient is protecting his airway. Volume resuscitation is underway. Patient should be preemtively intubated

A) True
B) False


Answer: False

Risk of hypotension following intubation should always be a major concern in each and every intubation, and should be weighed against the benefits of intubation. Above case is used as a classical example where delaying intubation may allow more time for hemodynamic resuscitation. Hypotension following intubation can be detrimental and fatal.


Reference:


Heffner AC, Swords DS, Nussbaum ML, et al. Predictors of the complication of postintubation hypotension during emergency airway management. J Crit Care 2012; 27:587.

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