KENNETH F. MURPHY
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To the Editor: The article entitled "Serial Blood Gas Studies During Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation" by Fillmore, Shapiro, and Killip (Ann Intern Med 72:465-469, 1970) demonstrates conclusively the efficacy of endotracheal intubation over mouth-to-mouth resuscitation in lowering arterial PCO2 and raising oxyhemoglobin saturation. The study is misleading, however, in implying that early intubation should be standard procedure in cardiopulmonary resuscitation. This may be true when the alternative is mouth-to-mouth ventilation, but with the availability of Ambu bags such a situation would rarely present itself. Moreover, in the unskilled hands of most medical house officers the attempt at intubation is generally either time-consuming
MURPHY KF. Mask vs Intubation in Resuscitation. Ann Intern Med. 1970;73:338–339. doi: 10.7326/0003-4819-73-2-338
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Published: Ann Intern Med. 1970;73(2):338-339.
DOI: 10.7326/0003-4819-73-2-338