Endotracheal Intubation in Patients With COVID-19 By Emergency Physicians in The Tokyo Metropolitan Area

Background: Patients with COVID-19 may require emergency tracheal intubation for mechanical ventilation by emergency physicians. However, the success rate, complications, operator safety, and issues around personal protective equipment (PPE) and barrier enclosure use are not known in this context.Methods: This was a retrospective study of data for adult patients with COVID-19 who underwent endotracheal intubation performed by emergency physicians at four hospitals in the Tokyo Metropolitan Area between January 2020 and September 2020. Patient characteristics, intubation-related factors, and intubation success and complications rates were obtained. Two analyses were then performed. In analysis 1, the intubation success rate in patients was compared among four groups using different types of PPE. In analysis 2, patients were compared by those intubated with or without barrier enclosure.Results: In total, 46 patients met the inclusion criteria, of whom 85% were successfully intubated at the first attempt, 27% experienced hypotension, and 27% experienced hypoxia. No muscle relaxants were used in 8.7% and the Macintosh blade was used in 37%. The four PPE types and the intubation confirmation methods varied considerably, but all met the WHO recommendations. A barrier enclosure device was used in 26%, with a success rate of approximately 80% irrespective of its use.Conclusions: The success rate at the first attempt of intubation was relatively high, albeit with a moderately high complication rate. All PPE types were safe, including when barrier enclosures were used. Success was not affected by using barrier enclosures.