Induction of anesthesia results in the loss of airway protective reflexes thereby increasing the risk of pulmonary aspiration during the interval between loss of consciousness and inflation of the cuff of an endotracheal tube (ETT). Rapid sequence induction and intubation (RSII) for anesthesia are a technique designed to minimize the risk of pulmonary aspiration. This article focuses on the most preferred anesthetic agents used for RSII.
The components of RSII are designed to protect the airway with a cuffed ETT as quickly as possible after induction to reduce the change of passive or active regurgitation. The goal of RSII is an achievement of adequate depth of anesthesia and paralysis for laryngoscopy to prevent coughing, gagging, straining, and active vomiting with airway manipulation. Choice of Anesthetic Agents Since the time gap between induction and intubation should be as small…
