Use of the King LTS-D During Medication-Assisted Airway Management

Abstract

Objective. This case series evaluated provider use of the King LTS-D as a primary airway in patients requiring rapid-sequence intubation (RSI). Methods. Twenty-seven paramedics completed a one-hour training session on the use of the device. All patients meeting the service's standard criteria for medication-assisted airway management were included in the study. Following each insertion, paramedics contacted a research hotline to complete data collection. The primary endpoint was successful insertion, with secondary endpoints including time from succinylcholine administration to successful ventilation, pre- and post-insertion vital signs (oxygen saturation [SaO₂], pulse rate, and systolic and diastolic blood pressure), and end-tidal carbon dioxide [ETCO₂] value 2 minutes after insertion. Analysis between pre- and postinsertion variables was completed using the Wilcoxon signed-rank test. Results. A total of 11 patients met the enrollment criteria and were treated with the device by nine of the 27 paramedics enrolled in the study. All 11 insertions (100%) were successful, with 10 of the 11 (91%) successes achieved on the first insertion attempt. No significant difference existed between pre- and post-insertion pulse rate or blood pressure measures. A significant difference in SaO₂ values was present (p = 0.007). Median ETCO₂ for the study sample was 40 mmHg (interquartile range [IQR] = 33–46 mmHg). Seventy-three percent (8/11) of patients had a time interval of succinylcholine administration to first ventilation of 1 minute or less (range = 1–3 minutes). One case of aspiration was noted on hospital chart review. Conclusion. In this case series, paramedics were able to successfully place and use the King LTS-D in patients meeting our emergency medical services (EMS) system indications for RSI.

Key words:

• airway
• emergency medical services
• RSI
• King LTS-D