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Review
. 2021 May 13;29(1):64.
doi: 10.1186/s13049-021-00883-5.

Rapid sequence induction: where did the consensus go?

Pascale Avery  1 , Sarah Morton  2 , James Raitt  3 , Hans Morten Lossius  4 , David Lockey  5   6
Affiliations
Review

Rapid sequence induction: where did the consensus go?

Pascale Avery et al. Scand J Trauma Resusc Emerg Med. .

Abstract

Background: Rapid Sequence Induction (RSI) was introduced to minimise the risk of aspiration of gastric contents during emergency tracheal intubation. It consisted of induction with the use of thiopentone and suxamethonium with the application of cricoid pressure. This narrative review describes how traditional RSI has been modified in the UK and elsewhere, aiming to deliver safe and effective emergency anaesthesia outside the operating room environment. Most of the key aspects of traditional RSI - training, technique, drugs and equipment have been challenged and often significantly changed since the procedure was first described. Alterations have been made to improve the safety and quality of the intervention while retaining the principles of rapidly securing a definitive airway and avoiding gastric aspiration. RSI is no longer achieved by an anaesthetist alone and can be delivered safely in a variety of settings, including in the pre-hospital environment.

Conclusion: The conduct of RSI in current emergency practice is far removed from the original descriptions of the procedure. Despite this, the principles - rapid delivery of a definitive airway and avoiding aspiration, are still highly relevant and the indications for RSI remain relatively unchanged.

Keywords: Apnoeic oxygenation; Emergency anaesthesia; Governance; Rapid sequence induction; Standard operating procedures; Video laryngoscopy.

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Conflict of interest statement

The authors declare that they have no competing interests.

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