New ERC guidelines for resuscitation published
Following the International Liaison Committee on Resuscitation (ILCOR) consensus conference earlier this year, we can confirm that the new European Resuscitation Council (ERC) guidelines for resuscitation have been published. These guidelines are very important, as they form the foundation for the practice of resuscitation across the whole of Europe. They are only updated once every 5 years, so the new edition has been much anticipated. You can download a complete copy free at either the the ERC or ILCOR web-sites.
The guidelines include a number of references to i-gel and the device has its own section within the chapter on ‘Airway management and ventilation’ and is described as follows;
i-gel is ‘made of thermoplastic elastomer gel (styrene ethylene butadene styrene) and does not require inflation; the stem of the i-gel incorporates a bite block and a narrow oesophageal drain tube (Fig. 4.10). It is very easy to insert, requiring only minimal training and a laryngeal seal pressure of 20–24cmH2O can be achieved. In two manikin studies, insertion of the I-gel was significantly faster than several other airway devices. The ease of insertion of the i-gel and its favourable leak pressure make it theoretically very attractive as a resuscitation airway device for those inexperienced in tracheal intubation. Use of the I-gel during cardiac arrest has been reported but more data on its use in this setting are awaited.’
We will be at the European Society of Resuscitation (ERC) annual congress in Porto, Portugal on the 2nd-4th December, so do come and visit our stand (No:B4).
If you are not attending the ERC meeting in Porto, or simply can’t wait until then to know more about i-gel in resuscitation, then please do complete our Quick Enquiry form and let us know how we can help. We will be pleased to assist in any way we can.
