Multicentre international observational study on airway management for anaesthesia: the STARGATE study protocol

Area of Science:

• Anesthesiology
• Critical Care Medicine
• Surgical Safety

Background:

• Advanced airway management is crucial for general anesthesia but poses daily challenges.
• Large-scale international data on adverse events during advanced airway management are lacking.
• Existing data do not fully capture the spectrum of complications like cardiovascular collapse or hypoxemia.

Purpose of the Study:

• To determine the incidence of major adverse events during advanced airway management for general anesthesia.
• To describe current airway management practices in a diverse international cohort.
• To identify factors influencing patient outcomes and in-hospital mortality.

Main Methods:

• Prospective observational cohort study (STARGATE).
• Enrollment of 10,500 patients undergoing tracheal intubation or supraglottic airway placement.
• Exclusion of critically ill patients; prospective data collection on patient/operator characteristics, procedures, and adverse events.

Main Results:

• Data collection is ongoing; results are pending.
• Incidence rates of major adverse events will be reported.
• Analysis will include patient characteristics, airway strategies, and outcomes.

Conclusions:

• The STARGATE study will provide critical insights into the safety of advanced airway management.
• Findings will inform clinical guidelines and enhance patient safety in anesthesia.
• Dissemination of results will contribute to the global scientific understanding of airway management complications.