Airway Management of Sudden Cardiac Death

Sudden cardiac death is still one of the most common causes of death all over the world that is associated with great morbidity and mortality (Shao et al., Resuscitation 85(11):1411–7, 2014; Girotra et al., N Engl J Med 367(20):1912–20, 2012; Hasselqvist et al., N Engl J Med 372(24):2307–15, 2015). Oxygenation and ventilation are believed to be critical for successful resuscitation. A study from the USA showed that failure of first intubation attempt was associated with delayed return of spontaneous circulation (Kim et al., Resuscitation 85(5):623–7, 2014). However, optimal airway management strategy still is uncertain. Current guidelines and evidence are largely from observational studies. In this chapter, the authors try to provide a relatively simple practical way to manage airway during resuscitation of a patient who suffers sudden cardiac death. Procedures of airway evaluation, airway equipment, oxygenation, and ventilation targets are also reviewed.