Airway management in critically ill patients with obesity - Takeaways - MDSpire

Airway management in critically ill patients with obesity

  • By

  • Vincenzo Russotto

  • Jonathan D. Casey

  • Sheila N. Myatra

  • Matthew W. Semler

  • Brian E. Driver

  • Kariem El-Boghdadly

  • Samir Jaber

  • Audrey De Jong

  • May 13, 2026

  • 0 min

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  • 1

    Obese critically ill patients face higher risks of intubation complications, with hypoxemia being the most common adverse event.

  • 2

    Positive pressure preoxygenation enhances functional residual capacity, reducing the risk of hypoxemia during intubation.

  • 3

    Videolaryngoscopy improves first-pass intubation success rates, potentially lowering airway management risks in obese patients.

  • 4

    Obesity alters respiratory physiology, leading to reduced lung volume and impaired gas exchange, complicating airway management.

  • 5

    Anatomical changes in obese patients, such as increased neck circumference and soft tissue, contribute to difficult airway management.

Original Source(s)

Airway management in critically ill patients with obesity

  • by Vincenzo Russotto, Jonathan D. Casey, Sheila N. Myatra, Matthew W. Semler, Brian E. Driver, Kariem El-Boghdadly, Samir Jaber, Audrey De Jong

  • May 13, 2026

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