Ultrasound measurement of airway anatomy in pregnant, preeclamptic, and nonpregnant women

Clinical and Ultrasonographic Assessment of Airway Indices Among Nonpregnant, Normotensive Pregnant and Pre-eclamptic Patients: a Prospective Observational Study

This study will test whether simple ultrasound measurements of the throat can help predict difficult tracheal intubation in nonpregnant women, women with normal pregnancy, and women with preeclampsia having surgery under general anesthesia.

Quick facts

• Study type: Observational
• Enrollment: 180 (estimated)
• Ages: 18 Years to 50 Years
• Sex: Female
• Sponsor: South Valley University (Academic / other)
• Locations: 1 site (Qina, Qena Governorate)
• Trial ID: NCT07423741 on ClinicalTrials.gov

What this trial studies

This observational study will compare clinical airway indices, bedside ultrasound airway measurements, and the laryngoscopic view during direct laryngoscopy among three groups: nonpregnant women of childbearing age, normotensive pregnant women, and pregnant women with preeclampsia. Participants undergoing surgery with general anesthesia will have preoperative clinical airway scores (e.g., Mallampati) and ultrasound parameters recorded, and the Cormack-Lehane grade noted during intubation. Patients with early gestation (<32 weeks), eclampsia, BMI >30 kg/m2, height <150 cm, or obvious anatomical airway problems are excluded. The goal is to see if portable ultrasound adds reliable, noninvasive information to predict difficult laryngoscopy in this population.

Who should consider this trial

Good fit: Women of childbearing age who are nonpregnant or who are pregnant (≥32 weeks) and either normotensive or diagnosed with preeclampsia, who are scheduled for surgery under general anesthesia and do not meet exclusion criteria.

Not a fit: Patients who are excluded—those with eclampsia, gestation under 32 weeks, BMI over 30 kg/m2, height under 150 cm, or obvious airway abnormalities—would not be eligible and thus would not receive benefit from this protocol.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, using ultrasound could allow earlier identification of likely difficult airways and reduce repeated intubation attempts and related complications.

How similar studies have performed: Previous studies have reported promising results for airway ultrasonography in predicting difficult laryngoscopy, but the technique is not yet universally validated or in routine use.

Eligibility criteria

Inclusion Criteria:

* -normotensive pregnant
* pre-eclamptic patients.
* nonpregnant females in child bearing period .

Exclusion Criteria:

* Patients excluded were women at \<32 weeks' gestation or with Eclampsia .
* height \<150 cm, body mass index (BMI) \>30 kg/m2 .
* predicted airwy difficulty due to any other cause as neck swelling , facial deformity and prominent teeth.

Where this trial is running

Qina, Qena Governorate

• Qena University — Qina, Qena Governorate, Egypt (Recruiting)

Study contacts

• Study coordinator: Zeinab M Sayed, MD

Conditions Airway Assessment; airway, ultrasound, preeclampsia