Artigos do Autor

INTRODUCTION: Tracheal Intubation (TI) is an important procedure in maintaining airway patency or critical control of ventilation. A high number of intubation attempts areassociated with an increased risk of adverse events. OBJECTIVE: To assess factors associated with the success of TI procedures performed in the Pediatric Emergency and Intensive Care Service of Hospital de Clínicas de Porto Alegre. METHOD: A contemporary cross-sectional study involving all intubations performed over eight months. Procedure data were obtained through interviews with the physician who performed the tracheal intubation and direct collection from medical records. Among the evaluated data, key factors include the number of attempts, adherence to the protocol, experience, and clinical and demographic characteristics of the sample. RESULTS: A total of 130 procedures were evaluated. Rapid sequence intubation was employed whenever indicated. TI were classified as difficult in 18.5% of cases. The mean number of attempts per procedure was 1.7±1.3. Three or more attempts were required in 68.1% of cases with facial or airway anatomical alterations (p<0.001). Airway access was achieved in 100% of patients, despite difficulties. Greater success in the procedure was associated with the experience of the involved professional. CONCLUSIONS: TI is a safe procedure with a high success rate when performed by appropriately skilled and trained physicians. Adherence to the rapid sequence protocol, combined with a well-defined plan of actions and alternatives in the face of difficulties, ensures greater safety during the procedure in critical situations.