Esophageal Obstruction during Oxygen Administration: A New Method for Use in Resuscitation

¹ Department of Medicine, St. Vincent's Hospital and Medical Center of New York, New York City

The levels of arterial oxygen tension pressure (Po₂) and oxygen saturation in ten apneic dogs were compared after mechanical ventilation using a face mask, endotracheal, and esophageal intubation. The data indicate that ventilation using endotracheal intubation results in a Po₂ level nearly double that obtained when ventilation is performed using a face mask or esophageal intubation in healthy experimental subjects. There was a 7.3 percent average increase in Po₂ when esophageal intubation was used compared to ventilation using a face mask. However, ventilation with esophageal intubation offers the distinct advantage over ventilation with a face mask in preventing aspiration of regurgitated vomitus. We conclude that endotracheal intubation is the route of choice for ventilation during cardiopulmonary resuscitation, and that every effort should be made to make available personnel trained in this technique wherever the need for resuscitation is likely, such as in mobile coronary and rescue units. But when this is not feasible, esophageal intubation should be performed to prevent regurgitation of stomach contents and aspiration.