The Application of Point-of-Care Ultrasound in ED Intubations and Airway Access: A Brief Systematic Review

Abstract

Intubation is an essential procedure performed on a routine basis in the Emergency Department. Unsuccessful intubations can be associated with deleterious outcomes. A systematic review was performed to investigate the accuracy of Point of Care Ultrasound (POCUS) in successful Endotracheal Tube (ET) tube confirmation, dynamically in ultrasound guided intubation and in identification of the cricothyroid membrane. This review demonstrated high sensitivity and specificity for ultrasound confirmation of ET tube placement, high success rate in ultrasoundguided intubation, and lower than expected accuracy in identifying the cricothyroid membrane. Ultrasonography should be considered for ET tube confirmation in patients in cardiac arrest and future applications of ultrasound may include dynamic guiding during the process of intubation.