Can’t Intubate Can’t Oxygenate

To help with the unanticipated difficult airway, there are many algorithms around the world.  SCME focus on the DAS algorithms as well as the Vortex combined with Andy Heard’s work (eBook available here).

The case of Elaine Bromiley in the UK highlighted many points covered on our CICO course.  The “Just a Routine Operation” documentary is an eye opening delve into CICO and Human Factors within an emergency.  Simpact have since recreated what happened and a “what if” version of that fateful event.

Pre-Reading

• The Vortex Approach Management of the Unanticipated Difficult Airway
• Formulation of CICV Algorithm. Heard, Anaesthesia 2009
• Surgical intervention during a CICO Event: Emergency FONA BJA 2015

Other Airway Related Resources

• CICO Infraglottic Rescue – BJA Editorial 2016

Here is an interesting presentation given by Ellen O’Sullivan at SMACC Dublin – 2016.  She is a large part of the DAS and helped to create the new DAS unanticipated difficult airway algorithms.

• DAS Guidelines Explained