We've had a  few gruesome airways in patients with GI bleeds and bellies full of coffee ground emesis.

This is a top 10 list encompassing my approach to this difficult situation:

1. Empty the Stomach

Place a salem sump and suck out all of the stomach contents.

Varices are not a contraindication (see: Digest Dis 1973;18(12):1032, Gastrointest Endosc. 2004 Feb;59(2):172-8, and Anesth Analg 1988;67:283)

Administer Metoclopramide 10 mg IVSS

2. Intubate the Patient with HOB at 45°

Semi-Fowler's position will keep the gastric contents from moving up the esophagus

3. Preoxygenate like mad

You do not want to bag these patients, give yourself a preox cushion

4. Intubation Meds

Use a sedative that is BP stable, use reduced doses.

These patients NEED paralytics. You need to optimize first pass success. Paralytic agents actually increase the lower esophageal sphincter tone (Br J Anaesth 1984;56:37).

5. Gather your equipment to optimize first pass

Use fiberoptic laryngoscopy if you have it (e.g. Glidescope)

At the bedside, have a bougie, an LMA, a meconium aspirator (more below), and 2 suction set-ups

Wear eye protection!

6. If you need to bag after a failed attempt...

Bag gently and slowly (10 times a minute)

Consider placing an LMA if you need to bag.

7. If the patient vomits: Trendelenberg

This potentially keeps the emesis out of the lungs

8. Meconium Aspirator

If the normal suction is too slow, attach the meconium aspirator to your ET tube. See this post on a novel ETT suction set-up for the full description.

9. No ABX for Aspiration

Aspiration in the initial phases is a chemical pneumonitis, not a bacterial pneumonia

See Marik's article (NEJM 2001;344(9):665)

10. SIRS

Expect a sepsis-like syndrome from the aspiration. This folks may need pressors and tons of additional fluid