Head position angles to open the upper airway differ less with the head positioned on a support

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• 作者：Thomas Mitterlechner ; MD^a ; ^{Thomas.Mitterlechner@uki.at} ; Peter Paal ; MD^a ; Lukas Kuehnelt-Leddhin ; MD^a ; Alexander M. Strasak ; PhD^b ; Gü ; nther Putz ; MD^a ; Nikolaus Gravenstein ; MD^c ; Achim von Goedecke ; MD ; MSc^d ; Volker Wenzel ; MD ; MSc^a
• 刊名：The American Journal of Emergency Medicine
• 出版年：2013
• 出版时间：January, 2013
• 年：2013
• 卷：31
• 期：1
• 页码：80-85
• 全文大小：430 K

文摘

Introduction

The aim of the study was to assess the effects of positioning the head on a support on ¡°head position angles¡± to optimally open the upper airway during bag-valve mask ventilation.

Methods

We ventilated the lungs of anesthetized adults with a bag-valve mask and the head positioned with (n = 30) or without a support (n = 30). In both groups, head position angles and ventilation parameters were measured with the head positioned in (1) neutral position, (2) in a position deemed optimal for ventilation by the investigator, and (3) in maximal extension.

Results

Between groups (¡°head with/without a support¡±) and between head positions within each group, head position angles and ventilation parameters differed (P < .0001, respectively). However, head position angles and ventilation parameters between head positions differed less ¡°with a support¡± (P < .001), and ventilation parameters improved with a support compared with the head-without-a-support group (P < .001).

Conclusions

In the head-with-a-support group, when compared with the head-without-a-support group, head position angles differed less, indicating a decreased potential for failure during bag-valve mask ventilation with the head on a support. Moreover, in the head-with-a-support group, ventilation parameters differed less between head positions, and ventilation improved. These findings suggest a potential benefit of positioning the head on a support during bag-valve mask ventilation.