Rapid Sequence Induction

On this page

Rapid Sequence Induction - Why, When, Wow!

  • Why perform RSI? For rapid airway control, crucially preventing pulmonary aspiration in high-risk patients.

    ⭐ Primary goal of RSI is to minimize the risk of pulmonary aspiration in patients with a full stomach.

  • Key Indications:
    • Emergency surgery.
    • Full stomach (e.g., trauma, pregnancy, bowel obstruction, GERD, uncontrolled diabetes).
  • Key Goals/Features:
    • Achieve swift, definitive airway.
    • Minimize time to intubation.
    • Avoid Bag-Mask Ventilation (BMV) pre-intubation to limit gastric insufflation. 6 P's of Rapid Sequence Intubation

Rapid Sequence Induction - Breathe Easy Now

  • Aim: Rapid airway control, ↓ aspiration risk (full stomach, emergency).
  • Core Sequence:
    • Preparation: Check equipment, drugs (e.g., Propofol, Suxamethonium/Rocuronium), suction.
    • Pre-oxygenation: 100% O₂ for 3-5 min.

      ⭐ Effective pre-oxygenation with 100% O₂ for 3-5 minutes can provide an apneic window of up to 8 minutes in a healthy adult.

    • Induction & Paralysis: Simultaneous IV push.
    • Intubation: No/gentle Bag-Mask Ventilation (BMV) prior. Cricoid pressure (Sellick). Confirm placement.

Rapid Sequence Induction - The Knockout Crew

  • Goal: Rapid unconsciousness & paralysis to secure airway, minimizing aspiration risk.
  • Induction Agents (IV):
    • Propofol: 1.5-2.5 mg/kg. Rapid onset, short duration. ↓BP, apnea.
    • Etomidate: 0.2-0.3 mg/kg. Hemodynamically stable. Adrenal suppression. Myoclonus.
    • Ketamine: 1-2 mg/kg. Sympathomimetic (↑HR, ↑BP). Analgesic. Emergence delirium.
  • Neuromuscular Blocking Agents (NMBAs):
    • Succinylcholine (SCh): 1-1.5 mg/kg. Depolarizing. Fastest onset (30-60s).

      ⭐ Succinylcholine, despite its side effects, remains the fastest onset NMBA, crucial for RSI, but contraindicated in severe burns after 24h and crush injuries due to hyperkalemia risk.

    • Rocuronium: 0.6-1.2 mg/kg. Non-depolarizing. Longer onset (60-90s). Reversible with Sugammadex.
  • 📌 P.L.S. (Please Let's Secure-airway): Preparation, Preoxygenation, Pretreatment, Paralysis with induction, Positioning, Placement of tube, Post-intubation management (not part of RSI itself but crucial follow-up).

Rapid Sequence Induction - The Swift Seven

📌 The 7 P's of RSI:

  • Preparation: Equipment, drugs, team ready.
  • Preoxygenation: 100% O₂ for 3-5 min or 8 vital capacity breaths/60s. Target ETO₂ >90%.
  • Pretreatment (Optional): Lidocaine, fentanyl, atropine (if indicated).
  • Paralysis & Induction: Co-administer:
    • Sedative: Propofol 1.5-2.5 mg/kg / Etomidate 0.2-0.3 mg/kg.
    • NMB: Succinylcholine 1-1.5 mg/kg / Rocuronium 1-1.2 mg/kg.
  • Protection & Positioning: Cricoid pressure (Sellick's), sniffing position.

    ⭐ Cricoid pressure (Sellick's maneuver) involves applying 10N of force before LOC and 30N after LOC, aimed at occluding the esophagus.

  • Placement & Proof: Intubate. Confirm: ETCO₂, chest rise, auscultation.
  • Post-intubation Management: Secure ETT, ventilate, post-intubation care.

The 7 Ps of Rapid Sequence Induction

Rapid Sequence Induction - Trouble Shooters' Guide

  • Hypotension: IV fluids, vasopressors.
  • Hypoxemia: ↑FiO2, optimize PEEP, airway maneuvers, LMA.
  • Difficult Airway: Follow algorithm; VL, SGA, bougie, surgical kit.
  • Aspiration: Cricoid pressure (Sellick’s), immediate suction, consider antibiotics.
  • Laryngospasm: 100% O2, PPV, Larson's maneuver, suxamethonium ($0.1 \text{ mg/kg}$ IV).
  • Bradycardia: Atropine ($0.02 \text{ mg/kg}$).

⭐ In a 'Can't Intubate, Can't Oxygenate' (CICO) scenario during RSI, progression to a surgical airway (e.g., cricothyroidotomy) must be rapid and decisive.

High‑Yield Points - ⚡ Biggest Takeaways

  • RSI aims to rapidly secure the airway in full stomach patients, minimizing aspiration risk.
  • Preoxygenation with 100% O2 for 3-5 minutes or 4 vital capacity breaths is crucial.
  • Cricoid pressure (Sellick’s maneuver) at 30N is applied before loss of consciousness until cuff inflation.
  • Common induction agents: Propofol; Etomidate for hemodynamic stability; Ketamine for bronchospasm/hypotension.
  • Paralytics: Succinylcholine (gold standard, rapid onset/offset) or high-dose Rocuronium.
  • Traditionally, no bag-mask ventilation (BMV) before intubation to prevent gastric insufflation and aspiration.

Practice Questions: Rapid Sequence Induction

Test your understanding with these related questions

A case of trauma comes to the emergency. On examination there is evidence of head injury, BP is 90/60 mmHg, and pulse is 150/min. Which of the following anesthetic agent should be used for induction?

1 of 5

Flashcards: Rapid Sequence Induction

1/4

What is the order of inotrope use in polytrauma patients with hemodynamic instability?_____

TAP TO REVEAL ANSWER

What is the order of inotrope use in polytrauma patients with hemodynamic instability?_____

Noradrenaline > Vasopressin > Dobutamine > adrenaline

browseSpaceflip

Enjoying this lesson?

Get full access to all lessons, practice questions, and more.

Start Your Free Trial