Table 1

Recorded diagnoses for patients requiring emergency RSI

Respiratory n = 60 Neurological (non-traumatic) n = 35 Trauma n = 25
Pneumonia21Seizure disorder8RTA—unspecified13
COPD12Intracerebral haemorrhage7Head injury—unspecified5
ARDS6Post-arrest coma5Skull fracture2
Asthma3Subarachnoid haemorrhage5C2 fracture1
Respiratory failure—unspecified3Subdural haematoma3Fall from height—unspecified1
Failed extubation4Encephalitis2Cerebral contusion1
Respiratory tract infection2Intracerebral event2Chest trauma1
Retained secretions2Meningitis2Facial fracture1
Pneumothorax2Extradural haematoma1
Respiratory arrest2
Pancreatitis1
Lung collapse1
Obstructive sleep apnoea1
Sepsis n = 24 Overdose n = 22 Cardiovascular n = 12
Abdominal8Amitriptyline12Tachyarrhythmia5
Unspecified7Benzodiazepine12Acute pulmonary oedema4
Meningococcal6Alcohol2Hypovolaemia1
SBE1Multiple2Cardiogenic shock1
Necrotising fasciitis1Insulin1Unspecified1
Septic arthritis1Promethazine1
Barbituate1
Unspecified1
Abdominal n = 12 Airway at risk n = 7 Metabolic n = 6
Pancreatitis3Oesophageal varices3Diabetic ketoacidosis2
Post-abdominal aortic aneurysm repair2Airway burn2Rhabdomyolysis1
Ischaemic bowel2Tracheostomy problem2Hyponatraemia1
Postoperative haemorrhage1Hepatic encephalopathy1
Postoperative—unspecified1Lactic acidosis1
Perforated viscus1
Infarcted bowel1
Obstruction1
Renal n = 3 Unknown n = 2
Acute renal failure2
Microscopic angiitis1