Rapid sequence induction, in anesthesia and advanced airway management, also called rapid sequence intubation or crash induction, is a special process for endotracheal intubation used when a patient is at high risk of pulmonary aspiration. It differs from other techniques for inducing general anesthesia in that several extra precautions are taken to minimize the time between giving the induction drugs and securing the tube, during which the patient airway is essentially unprotected; unlike routine tracheal intubation, the anesthesiologist does not typically manually assist ventilation of the lungs after the onset of general anesthesia and cessation of breathing until the trachea is intubated and the cuff inflated. It is typically used in patients at high risk of aspiration or who are critically ill, and may be performed by anesthesiologists, intensivists, emergency physicians or, in some regions, paramedics.
Facts
FAQs
In which situations is rapid sequence induction used instead of routine induction?
When the stomach may not be empty, aspiration is more likely, or the patient cannot protect the airway.
It is used when general anesthesia must begin before the patient has fasted long enough to empty the stomach, when a condition makes aspiration more likely during induction even after fasting (such as gastroesophageal reflux disease or advanced pregnancy), or when the patient can no longer protect their own airway before anesthesia begins (such as after a traumatic brain injury).
What is the most serious risk of rapid sequence induction?
A paralyzed patient who proves difficult to intubate.
The most concerning complication is managing the airway in a paralyzed patient. Because the patient is paralyzed before airway access is secured, the patient may turn out to be difficult to intubate, which is the start of a cannot intubate, cannot ventilate emergency.
Sources
1. Wikipedia
Wikipedia contributors, Wikimedia Foundation
2. Rapid Sequence Induction (Wikipedia)
Lead section
In anaesthesia and advanced airway management, rapid sequence induction (RSI) - also referred to as rapid sequence intubation or as rapid sequence induction and intubation (RSII) or as crash induction - is a special process for endotracheal intubation that is used where the patient is at a high risk of pulmonary aspiration.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rapid_sequence_induction, lead section
In anaesthesia and advanced airway management, rapid sequence induction (RSI) - also referred to as rapid sequence intubation or as rapid sequence induction and intubation (RSII) or as crash induction - is a special process for endotracheal intubation that is used where the patient is at a high risk of pulmonary aspiration.
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