Effectiveness of intubating laryngeal mask airway (ILMA Fastrach) used by nurses during out of hospital cardiac arrest resuscitation

Acta Anaesthesiol Belg. 2009;60(4):235-8.

Abstract

Objective: ILMA Fastrach is a recognized alternative to classic laryngoscopic intubation. In this study, we evaluated the success rate of intubation with Fastrach, used by emergency nurses who have no experience of field intubation.

Methods: Twelve untrained nurses used Fastrach during 71 out of hospital cardiac arrests (OHCAs). Each step time of resuscitation was recorded.

Results: Fastrach effective ventilation was obtained in 97%. Rate of successful intubation was 86%.

Conclusions: ILMA Fastrach is a good alternative to classical laryngoscopic intubation by untrained nurses, even in difficult conditions such as OHCAs.

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Child
  • Clinical Competence
  • Emergency Medical Services
  • Fiber Optic Technology
  • Heart Arrest / nursing*
  • Heart Arrest / therapy*
  • Humans
  • Intubation, Intratracheal / adverse effects
  • Intubation, Intratracheal / methods*
  • Laryngeal Masks* / adverse effects
  • Medical Errors / statistics & numerical data
  • Nurses*
  • Respiration, Artificial / methods
  • Resuscitation / education*
  • Resuscitation / methods*
  • Retrospective Studies