[Intubation of the critical patient]

The airway management is one of the principal skills that a physician needs to ensure optimal ventilation and oxygenation. In this guideline, Sedation and Analgesia Working Group of SEMICYUC describes rapid sequence intubation (RSI) and induction drugs and neuromuscular blocking agents. RSI is the best procedure to ensure optimal airway management in the majority of critically ill patients. Our choice of one induction drug or another can influence in the success of the airway management. As neuromuscular blocking agents can facilitate intubation, they influence the choice of the drug for intubation and of premedication. To optimize the use of drugs, the knowledge of pharmacodynamics, pharmacokinetics and side effects is imperative. A proper position of the patient is essential to establish an adequate airway management. Direct visualization of glottis and endotracheal tube pass through vocal cords is the best way to confirm the correct position of it. There are different devices to confirm correct position of the endotracheal tube.