Emergency airway management

Emergency airway management is one of the most crucial aspects in caring for critically ill patients. The patient's rapidly evolving condition as well as the spectrum of acute airway disorders confronted in an emergency setting requires both knowledge and skill in all aspects of acute airway management. In this article, a difficult airway is defined as a clinical situation in which the practitioner experiences difficulty with ventilation, laryngoscopy, or tracheal intubation. The focus is on identification and management of a difficult airway, including both invasive and noninvasive techniques. Methods for intubation such as rapid sequence intubation and awake intubation techniques are also reviewed.