Evaluation of the Hemodynamic Response to Endotracheal Intubation Comparing the Airtraq(®) with Macintosh Laryngoscopes in Cardiac Surgical Patients

Abstract

Cardiac patients are more prone to develop hemodynamic instability on induction of anesthesia and endotracheal intubation. The Airtraq(®) optical laryngoscope is a single-use rigid video laryngoscope that has been developed to facilitate tracheal intubation. There are limited studies comparing differences in the circulatory responses to Airtraq(®) and direct Macintosh larynngoscopy in cardiac patients.