Investigating the Airway Assessment of COPD Patients Based on the SARI Protocol: A Descriptive Cross-Sectional Study

Introduction: Airway management is crucial in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) undergoing surgery due to their heightened risk of respiratory complications. COPD is a chronic inflammatory condition that results in airway narrowing, rendering patients more susceptible to stressful situations such as surgery. Therefore, it is essential to conduct thorough preoperative airway assessments to prevent complications and enhance patient outcomes. Methods: This cross-sectional descriptive study was conducted in Hamedan hospitals and included 400 randomly selected COPD patients undergoing surgery. The Simple Airway Risk Index (SARI) was utilized to assess intubation difficulty, taking into account parameters such as mouth opening, thyromental distance, and Mallampati score. The collected data was analyzed using SPSS software, and relationships between variables were examined using ANOVA and t-tests. Results: The study revealed a significant association between SARI score and factors such as gender, age, BMI, and certain medical conditions. For instance, male patients and those over 30 years of age exhibited higher SARI scores, signifying an elevated risk of difficult intubation. Moreover, conditions like hypertension and diabetes demonstrated a correlation with higher SARI scores. Conclusion: The SARI score proves to be a valuable tool for predicting airway management challenges in COPD patients. This study underscores the significance of comprehensive preoperative airway assessments employing the SARI score to anticipate and mitigate potential complications, thereby enhancing the quality of surgical care for COPD patients.