Cricoid Pressure at Lower Forces Does Not Increase Oxygen Consumption

John Lenart, MD

San Francisco—A pilot study has found that patients randomly assigned to cricoid pressure or sham treatment showed no difference in time to lowest peripheral capillary oxygen saturation (SpO₂) or lowest SpO₂ during anesthesia induction with planned endotracheal intubation.

“Application of 30 N of cricoid pressure was not associated with a significant difference in time to reach lowest SpO₂ or lowest SpO₂ in preoxygenated patients,” said John Lenart, MD,