Anaesthesia & ICUEmergency Medicine
Difficult Airway Algorithm (DAS)
DAS 2015 unanticipated difficult intubation — Plans A→B→C→D, optimise on each attempt, declare 'CICO' early.
Source: DAS 2015; Royal College of Anaesthetists
Step 1 of ~10
info
Plan A — Optimal Direct/Video Laryngoscopy
Best attempts ≤3 (max 4) at intubation. Optimise: position (sniffing or ramping if obese), pre-oxygenation 3 min, nasal high-flow oxygen during attempts, full-dose paralysis, external laryngeal manipulation, bougie / stylet, video laryngoscopy. Maintain SpO₂ >90% throughout.
Related
Curated clinical cross-links plus same-class fallbacks.
Pathways
- Anaphylaxis Under Anaesthesia · AAGBI 2018; NAP6
- Malignant Hyperthermia · AAGBI 2011; MHAUS
- Local Anaesthetic Systemic Toxicity (LAST) · AAGBI 2010; ASRA 2017
- Spinal Anaesthesia Hypotension Management · AAGBI; ASA
- Postoperative Nausea & Vomiting · Society for Ambulatory Anesthesia 2020; AAGBI
- Surviving Sepsis Bundle (Adult ICU) · Surviving Sepsis Campaign 2021; NICE NG51
Decision support only. Always apply local guidelines and clinical judgement.