Emergent management of the airway - New pharmacology and the control of comorbidities in cardiac disease, ischemia, and valvular heart disease

The process of securing the airway by endotracheal intubation is fraught wi th risk and requires decisions based on understanding the underlying pathop hysiology of the patient in distress. The urgency of securing the airway de termines the acceptance of the risk of incurring complications from urgent or emergent intubation. Whereas emergent intubation leaves little time for optimizing conditions, the less urgent and more elective intubation permits a more controlled clinical setting.