Prehospital fiberoptic intubation.

We present a case of a patient with severe multiple trauma who was treated at the scene by a physician-staffed trauma life support team. Due to a complete tracheal transection, a "cannot ventilate, cannot intubate"-situation occurred. The patient was then intubated using a fiberoptic bronchoscope in the prehospital setting.

Comparison of lactate or BE during out-of-hospital cardiac arrest to determine metabolic acidosis.

During cardiopulmonary resuscitation, pH and base excess (BE) decrease to a variable degree due to metabolic acidosis. The main cause has been shown to be lactate, which cannot be eliminated sufficiently because of low perfusion during cardiac massage. Both BE and lactate can be measured in the prehospital phase.