Abstract
I discuss here rapid sequence induction/intubation (RSI) , focusing on the role of preoxygenation, muscle relaxants (suxamethonium and rocuronium) , and the method of applying cricoid pressure. To perform RSI safely, it is necessary to evaluate difficult airway during the pre-anesthetic visit and to carry out adequate preoxygenation before induction of anesthesia. It would be prudent to add opioid analgesics as induction agents to reduce hemodynamic changes at induction of anesthesia, especially for a patient with hypertension. Rocuronium is thought to be a useful muscle relaxant for RSI because of its rapid onset of action, but attention should be given to the fact that its duration of action increases when its dose is increased to more than 1.0 mg/kg.
