title: Emergency neurological life support: airway, ventilation, and sedation.
abstract: Airway management is central to the resuscitation of the neurologically ill. These patients often have evolving processes that threaten the airway and adequate ventilation. Therefore, airway, ventilation, and sedation were chosen as an Emergency Neurological Life Support (ENLS) protocol. Reviewed topics include airway management; the decision to intubate; when and how to intubate with attention to cardiovascular status; mechanical ventilation settings; and the use of sedation, including how to select sedative agents based on the patient's neurological status.
authors.affiliation: Department of Critical Care Services, Maine Medical Center, Tufts University School of Medicine, Boston, MA, USA. dseder@cmamaine.com
authors.forename: David B
authors.initials: DB
authors.lastname: Seder
authors.forename: Richard R
authors.initials: RR
authors.lastname: Riker
authors.forename: Andy
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Jagoda
authors.forename: Wade S
authors.initials: WS
authors.lastname: Smith
authors.forename: Scott D
authors.initials: SD
authors.lastname: Weingart
mesh_terms: D058109:Airway Management / Q000379:methods*; D000465:Algorithms; D000698:Analgesia / Q000379:methods; D000777:Anesthetics / Q000627:therapeutic use; D001930:Brain Injuries / Q000150:complications; D054810:Deep Sedation / Q000379:methods; D004632:Emergency Medical Services / Q000379:methods; D006801:Humans; D006993:Hypnotics and Sedatives / Q000627:therapeutic use; D007442:Intubation, Intratracheal / Q000379:methods*; D017410:Practice Guidelines as Topic; D012121:Respiration, Artificial / Q000379:methods*; D012131:Respiratory Insufficiency / Q000150:complications / Q000628:therapy
chemical_list: D000777:Anesthetics; D006993:Hypnotics and Sedatives