Airway management in the intensive care unit

Abstract

Airway management in the critically ill patient is challenging. The incidence of complications when performing intubations in the ICU is much higher than in the operating room. This chapter will discuss how to perform an adequate airway evaluation, various intubating tools and techniques, and complications of intubations. The approach to managing a difficult airway and extubating a patient will be addressed. Methods to increase the safety of airway management in the ICU such as the use of experienced personnel, availability of equipment for the difficult airway, and the importance of protocols for emergency intubations will be outlined.