Inadequate oxygenation and ventilation using the esophageal gastric tube airway in the prehospital setting
P. S. Auerbach and E. C. Geehr
In a prospective study to evaluate the respiratory effectiveness of the
esophageal gastric tube airway (EGTA) in the prehospital setting, we
analyzed arterial blood samples from 43 victims of out-of-hospital
cardiopulmonary arrest managed with the EGTA. Five minutes after emergency
department endotracheal intubation, arterial blood gas analysis was
repeated for comparison. During EGTA ventilation, the mean arterial PO2
measured 83.6 +/- 110.4 mm Hg; endotracheal intubation increased the mean
PO2 to 189 +/- 167.5 mm Hg. During EGTA ventilation, the mean arterial PCO2
measured 77.1 +/- 34 mm Hg; endotracheal intubation decreased the mean PCO2
to 57.8 +/- 34.4 mm Hg. We conclude that endotracheal intubation remains
the procedure of choice for airway management in the victim of
cardiopulmonary arrest.
