Confirmation of Ventilation and Intubation by Determination With Ultrasonography

Confirmation of Ventilation and Intubation by Determination With Ultrasonography: A Multicenter Observational Study

Chest radiography is the gold standard for confirming tracheal intubation. Bedside ultrasound can be a useful alternative. The investigators are conducting a multi-center, observational study from January 2019 to May 2020 (COVID-US Study) to determine the feasibility of tracheal and lung ultrasound in confirming endotracheal tube placement in the critically ill.

Endotracheal intubation is an important aspect of managing critically ill patients. Chest radiography remains the gold standard for confirming endotracheal tube positioning, however, ultrasonography can be a useful alternative. The objective of this study is to determine the feasibility of a combination of tracheal and thoracic ultrasonography to confirm adequate positioning of endotracheal tube placement in a cohort of critically ill participants including those with novel coronavirus-2019.

Inclusion Criteria:

• Adult patients (> or equal to 18 years of age) requiring intubation and mechanical ventilation as a part of their routine care

Exclusion Criteria:

• Recent neck or chest surgery
• Cervical spine immobilization
• Lack of availability of operators or equipment for performing the ultrasound protocol