Testing of novel spectral device sensor in swine model of airway obstruction. Issue 19 (6th October 2019)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Blackburn, Megan B.; Nawn, Corinne D.; Ryan, Kathy L.
• Is Part Of: Physiological reports. Volume 7:Issue 19(2019)
• Page Start: n/a
• Page End: n/a
• Publication Date: 2019-10-06
• Subjects: Airway -- Respiration -- Spectral Reflectance -- Trauma; Physiology -- Periodicals; 571
• DOI: 10.14814/phy2.14246
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 2051-817X

Abstract

Abstract: Loss of a patent airway is a significant cause of prehospital death. Endotracheal intubation is the gold standard of care but has a high rate of failure and complications, making development of new devices vital. We previously showed that tracheal tissue has a unique spectral profile which could be utilized to confirm correct airway device placement. Therefore, the goals of this study were twofold: 1‐ to develop an airway obstruction model and 2‐ use that model to assess how airway compromise affects tissue reflectance. Female swine were anesthetized, intubated, and instrumented. Pigs were allowed to breathe spontaneously and underwent either slow‐ or rapid‐onset obstruction until a real‐time pulse oximeter reading of ≤50%. At baseline, 25%, 50%, 75%, and 100% obstruction, a fiber‐optic reflection probe was inserted into the trachea and esophagus to capture reflectance spectra. Both slow‐ and rapid‐onset obstruction significantly decreased arterial oxygen concentration (sO2 ) and increased partial pressure of CO2 (pCO2 ). The presence of the tracheal‐defining spectral profile was confirmed and remained consistent despite changes in sO2 and pCO2 . This study validated a model of slow‐ and rapid‐airway obstruction that results in significant hypoxia and hypercapnia. This is valuable for future testing of airway device components that may improve airway management. Additionally, our data support the ability of spectral reflectance to differentiate between tracheal and esophageal tissues in the presence of a clinical condition that decreases oxygen saturation. Abstract : Endotracheal intubation is the gold standard of care but requires confirmation of correct placement. We hypothesized that white‐light reflectance may be used as a technique to confirm placement in the trachea. Our data confirm that spectral reflectance can distinguish tracheal from esophageal tissue even in the face of changing levels of oxygen and carbon dioxide during airway obstruction.