i-gel® from Intersurgical: clinical evidence listing

Duckett J, Fell P, Han K, Kimber C, Taylor C. Emerg Med J. 2014 Jun;31(6):505-7

Clinical review of the advanced airway management techniques within the North East Ambulance Service in the UK. i-gel a popular choice for airway management during prehospital cardiopulmonary resuscitation, giving higher successful insertion rates than endotracheal tube. Authors conclude that they anticipate i-gel will be the first choice device for use in prehospital cardiac arrest.

Link to abstract

Seno H, Komasawa N, Fujiwara S, Miyazaki S, Tatsumi S, Sawai T, Minami T. Masui. 2014 May;63(5):590-3

Manikin study to investigate effectiveness of three fixation methods on an automated chest compressor. Fixation strap may prove useful in stabilising i-gel insertion in this scenario.

Link to abstract

Adelborg K, Al-Mashhadi RH, Nielsen LH, Dalgas C, Mortensen MB and Løfgren B. Anaesthesia. 2014 Apr; 69(4): 343-7

Forty lifeguards took part in this manikin study, where time to ventilation and proportion of successful ventilations (both with and without ‘concurrent’ chest compressions) were measured. Mean time to ventilate with i-gel® was 15.6 seconds, compared to 35.2 for Soft Seal and 35.1 for AuraOnce. Authors concluded that ‘most lifeguards preferred the i-gel®’.

Link to abstract

Häske D, Schempf B, Gaier G, Niederberger C. Resuscitation 2013; 84(9): 1229-32

This observational study of i-gel® use during CPR assessed ease of insertion, ventilation quality, leak and whether ventilation was possible without chest compression interruption. Insertions were attempted by 63 paramedics and seven emergency physicians in pre-hospital CPR, with an overall 90% first-attempt insertion success rate. Insertion was reported as easy in 80% of cases, with the same figure representing cases with no leak recorded. In 74% of cases, continuous chest compression was still possible. The authors say that, ‘the i-gel is an easy supraglottic device to insert and enables adequate ventilation during CPR’.

Link to abstract

Tiesmeier J, Emmerich M. Minerva Anestesiol. 2013 Feb;79(2):212-3

Three case studies where an i-gel® was used in an emergency situation are presented on the back of the authors’ previous knowledge that this SAD has ‘advantageous characteristics’, including quick insertion time, good seal pressures and high success rates. Cases were: a ‘violent’ but sedated male patient; a 69-year-old patient suffering a cerebral seizure; and an unconscious and intoxicated patient found at home. Regurgitation and aspiration were not seen in any case. Authors conclude that, alongside other pre-clinical emergency situations, i-gel® can be used in cases of sustained spontaneous breathing, and ‘could be considered for extended use outside the hospital’.

Link to abstract.