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Prehospital rapid sequence intubation in severe traumatic brain injury: a retrospective analysis

Objectives

To evaluate the efficacy, safety and complications of rapid sequence intubation (RSI) in patients with severe traumatic brain injury (STBI) in a prehospital setting.

Materials and methods

Retrospective analysis of 144 patients with STBI (Glasgow coma scale ≤ 8) from January 1998 to January 2000, assisted by an Advanced Life Support Unit with a physician. RSI was considered to be when at least a sedative and a neuromuscular blocking agent were administered together. The data were collected from the patient form.

Results

Ethomidate and succinilcholine were the most frequent drugs used, in 69.5% of sedatives and 80.5% of neuromuscular blocking agents, respectively. The intubation success rate was 99.31%, and in 93.6% of the cases was performed by nonanesthesiologists. No arrhythmias, cardiac arrest or death related to RSI occurred.

Conclusion

RSI is an efficient and safe procedure for endotracheal intubation in patients with STBI in a prehospital environment.

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Belezia, B., Antunes, A., de Oliveira, A. et al. Prehospital rapid sequence intubation in severe traumatic brain injury: a retrospective analysis. Crit Care 7 (Suppl 3), P107 (2003). https://doi.org/10.1186/cc2303

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1186/cc2303

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