Clinical Experience with Emergency Endotracheal Intubation in COVID-19 Patients in the Intensive Care Units: a Single-centered, Retrospective, Descriptive Study

Few studies have reported the implications of performing endotracheal intubation for critically ill COVID-19 patients admitted to intensive care units (ICUs). Therefore, this study aimed to summarize the outcomes of COVID-19 patients in the ICU following endotracheal intubation and provide a clinical reference for the high-risk procedure. From February 1 to February 18, 2020, we enrolled 59 critically ill COVID-19 patients who received emergency endotracheal intubation in the ICUs of Tongji Hospital. We recorded demographic information, laboratory parameters, comorbidities, changes in vital signs pre- and post-intubation, the airway grade, intubation success rate using three types of laryngoscopes, and the experience of intubators. Follow-up evaluations were performed for all proceduralists to monitor nosocomial infections. The majority of the patients requiring intubation were elderly and had at least one comorbidity. Of the patients, 86.4% developed hypoxia before intubation. The first and second attempts of successful endotracheal intubation with the Macintosh laryngoscope (70.0% and 83.3%), Airtraq videolaryngoscope (93.5% and 80%), and UE videolaryngoscope (88.9% and 100%) were performed. Notably, SpO <93% and hypotension were observed 3 min after intubation in 32.2% and 39% patients, respectively. With the proper use of personal protective equipment (PPE), no nosocomial infections were observed among proceduralists. Full PPE increased the occurrence of fogging on goggles and myopia glasses. Overall, a higher success rate of intubation was achieved by senior intubators using a videolaryngoscope. Although inconvenient, appropriate ensembles of PPE could prevent nosocomial infections.