Current Practices and Safety of Medication Use During Pediatric Rapid Sequence Intubation

This study aimed to characterize medication-related practices during and immediately -following rapid sequence intubation (RSI) in pediatric care units across the United States and to evaluate adverse drug events.

This was a multicenter, observational study of medication practices surrounding intubation in pediatric and neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) and emergency department patients across the United States.

A total of 172 patients from 13 geographically diverse institutions were included. Overall, 24%, 69%, and 50% received preinduction, induction, and neuromuscular blockade, respectively. Induction and neuromuscular blocking agent (NMBA) use was low in NICU patients (52% and 23%, respectively), whereas nearly all patients intubated outside of the NICU received both (98% and 95%, respectively). NICU patients who received RSI medications were older and weighed more. Despite infrequent use of atropine (21%), only 3 patients developed bradycardia after RSI. Of the 119 patients who received an induction agent, fentanyl (67%) and midazolam (34%) were administered most frequently. Hypotension and hypertension occurred in 23% and 24% of patients, respectively, but were not associated with a single induction agent. Etomidate use was low and not associated with development of adrenal insufficiency. Rocuronium was the most used NMBA (78%). Succinylcholine use was low (11%) and administered despite hyperkalemia in 2 patients. Postintubation sedation and analgesia were not used or inadequate based on timing of initiation in many patients who received a non-depolarizing NMBA.

Medication practices surrounding pediatric RSI vary across the United States and may be influenced by patient location, age, and weight.