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Development of Sub-optimal Airway Protocols for the International Space Station (ISS) by the Medical Operation Support Team (MOST)Airway management techniques are necessary to establish and maintain a patent airway while treating a patient undergoing respiratory distress. There are situations where such settings are suboptimal, thus causing the caregiver to adapt to these suboptimal conditions. Such occurrences are no exception aboard the International Space Station (ISS). As a result, the NASA flight surgeon (FS) and NASA astronaut cohorts must be ready to adapt their optimal airway management techniques for suboptimal situations. Based on previous work conducted by the Medical Operation Support Team (MOST) and other investigators, the MOST had members of both the FS and astronaut cohorts evaluate two oral airway insertion techniques for the Intubating Laryngeal Mask Airway (ILMA) to determine whether either technique is sufficient to perform in suboptimal conditions within a microgravity environment. Methods All experiments were conducted in a simulated microgravity environment provided by parabolic flight aboard DC-9 aircraft. Each participant acted as a caregiver and was directed to attempt both suboptimal ILMA insertion techniques following a preflight instruction session on the day of the flight and a demonstration of the technique by an anesthesiologist physician in the simulated microgravity environment aboard the aircraft. Results Fourteen participants conducted 46 trials of the suboptimal ILMA insertion techniques. Overall, 43 of 46 trials (94%) conducted were properly performed based on criteria developed by the MOST and other investigators. Discussion The study demonstrated the use of airway management techniques in suboptimal conditions relating to space flight. Use of these techniques will provide a crew with options for using the ILMA to manage airway issues aboard the ISS. Although it is understood that the optimal method for patient care during space flight is to have both patient and caregiver restrained, these techniques provide a needed backup should conditions not present themselves in an ideal manner.
Document ID
20070031831
Acquisition Source
Johnson Space Center
Document Type
Conference Paper
Authors
Polk, James D. (NASA Johnson Space Center Houston, TX, United States)
Parazynski, Scott (NASA Johnson Space Center Houston, TX, United States)
Kelly, Scott (NASA Johnson Space Center Houston, TX, United States)
Hurst, Victor, IV (Wyle Labs., Inc. Houston, TX, United States)
Doerr, Harold K. (Wyle Labs., Inc. Houston, TX, United States)
Date Acquired
August 23, 2013
Publication Date
May 13, 2007
Subject Category
Aerospace Medicine
Meeting Information
Meeting: ASMA 78th Aerospace Medical Association Annual Conference
Location: New Orleans, LA
Country: United States
Start Date: May 13, 2007
End Date: May 17, 2007
Sponsors: Aerospace Medical Association
Funding Number(s)
CONTRACT_GRANT: NAS9-02078
Distribution Limits
Public
Copyright
Public Use Permitted.

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