How often difficult airways occur during heart surgery and creating a tool to predict them
Investigation of Difficult Airway and Difficult Intubation Incidence and Associated Factors in Patients Undergoing Cardiovascular Surgery and a Prediction Model Development
This project will try to measure how often adults having cardiovascular surgery experience difficult airways and build a prediction model to spot those at higher risk.
Quick facts
| Study type | Observational |
|---|---|
| Enrollment | 2000 (estimated) |
| Ages | 18 Years and up |
| Sex | All |
| Sponsor | Diskapi Teaching and Research Hospital Academic / other |
| Locations | 1 site (Ankara) |
| Trial ID | NCT06986187 on ClinicalTrials.gov |
What this trial studies
This observational study will enroll adult patients (ASA I–IV) undergoing cardiovascular surgery and collect preoperative airway exam data and intraoperative airway outcomes. Standard bedside scores (for example LEMON, El-Ganzouri, Arne) and intubation findings (Cormack–Lehane, Han mask ventilation score, IDS, VIDIAC where applicable) will be recorded. Cases with known difficult airway, head–neck or upper airway pathology, or aspiration risk are excluded. The investigators will quantify the incidence of difficult airway events and use the collected variables to develop a statistical prediction model specific to the cardiac surgery population.
Who should consider this trial
Good fit: Adults over 18 scheduled for cardiovascular surgery (ASA I–IV) without known difficult airway, head–neck/upper airway pathology, or high aspiration risk are ideal candidates.
Not a fit: People with a previously known difficult airway, head–neck or upper airway pathology, patients at high risk of aspiration, and those under 18 are excluded and would not benefit from joining this project.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, the prediction model could help clinicians identify patients at higher risk for difficult airway before heart surgery and reduce airway-related complications.
How similar studies have performed: Previous work has reported higher difficult airway rates in cardiac surgery and routine bedside scores are used, but a dedicated, validated prediction model specifically for cardiovascular surgery patients is not yet well established.
Eligibility criteria
Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria: * Undergoing cardiovascular surgery * ASA I-IV physical status * Over 18 years of age Exclusion Criteria: * Known difficult airway * Head-neck and upper airway pathology * Patients at risk of aspiration
Where this trial is running
Ankara
- Etlik City Hospital — Ankara, Turkey (Türkiye) (Recruiting)
Study contacts
- Principal investigator: Dilek Unal, Prof. — Ankara Etlik City Hospital
- Study coordinator: Dilek Unal, Prof.
- Email: dilekunalmd@gmail.com
- Phone: +90 533 695 78 55
How to participate
- Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
- Visit the official trial page on ClinicalTrials.gov for the most current contact information and recruitment status.
- Contact the listed study coordinator or principal investigator to request pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.