J. Horak et S. Weiss, Emergent management of the airway - New pharmacology and the control of comorbidities in cardiac disease, ischemia, and valvular heart disease, CRIT CARE C, 16(3), 2000, pp. 411
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.