Outcomes in randomized trials of tracheal intubation in the critically ill: A systematic review.
Am J Emerg MedJul 23, 2026 (epub)
Takatoshi Koroki, Yuki Kotani, Tomohisa Nagayama et al.
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In 30 seconds
This systematic review analyzed 43 randomized controlled trials on tracheal intubation in critically ill adults. The study identified 15 primary and 46 secondary outcomes, with hypoxemia being the most reported primary outcome in 28% of studies. The findings highlight a focus on short-term physiological and procedural outcomes rather than patient-centered recovery metrics.
Key findings
- Hypoxemia was the most frequently reported primary outcome in 12 studies (28%).
- First-pass success was reported as a primary outcome in 11 studies (26%).
- Common secondary outcomes included hypoxemia in 26 studies (60%) and mortality in 21 studies (49%).
- Only minimal attention was given to patient-centered recovery outcomes.
Why it matters
Understanding the outcomes prioritized in tracheal intubation trials can inform clinicians about the focus of current research and highlight the need for more comprehensive outcome measures that include patient-centered recovery metrics.