DAS guidelines for awake tracheal intubation (ATI) in adults
Difficult Airway Society guidelines (2019) for awake tracheal intubation (ATI) in adults. These guidelines aim to support clinical practice and help lower the threshold for performing awake tracheal intubation when indicated.
Please view the figures below. You may also find the link to Anaesthesia where the original article is available as an open access article.
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Recommendations
- Awake tracheal intubation must be considered in the presence of predictors of difficult airway management.
- A cognitive aid such as a checklist is recommended before and during performance of awake tracheal intubation.
- Supplemental oxygen should always be administered during awake tracheal intubation.
- Effective topicalisation must be established and tested. The maximum dose of lidocaine should not exceed 9 mg.kg−1 lean body weight.
- Cautious use of minimal sedation can be beneficial. This should ideally be administered by an independent practitioner. Sedation should not be used as a substitute for inadequate airway topicalisation.
- The number of attempts should be limited to three, with one further attempt by a more experienced operator (3 + 1).
- Anaesthesia should only be induced after a two-point check (visual confirmation and capnography) has confirmed correct tracheal tube position.
- All departments should support anaesthetists to attain competency and maintain skills in awake tracheal intubation.
Downloads and Links
Link to original Anaesthesia article (open access)
DAS checklist for awake tracheal intubation (ATI) in adults
DAS documentation sticker for ATI in adults
GUIDELINES
DAS guidelines for awake tracheal intubation (ATI) in adults
Difficult Airway Society guidelines (2019) for awake tracheal intubation (ATI) in adults.
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