Intubation SkillNCT07600502
Establish Whether Hyperangulated Videolaryngoscopy (HAVL) Can be Used to Facilitate Tracheal Intubation Effectively and Safely in Unselected Adult Patients; Describe the Population in Whom HAVL Fails to Facilitate Tracheal Intubation Successfully, Identifying Any Contributory Characteristics.
A study testing Hyperangulated videolaryngoscopy in people with Intubation Skill and Intubation Complications, run by NHS Lothian at 1 site in United Kingdom.
Trial summary
When patients have a general anaesthetic (go to sleep for surgery), the anaesthetist often places a small tube into their windpipe (intubation) to help them breathe. To see exactly where to put the tube, the anaesthetist uses a device called a laryngoscope. Read more about this study
- Who is it for?
- Ages 18 years and olderHealthy volunteers can take part
- Conditions the study is for
- Intubation Skill, Intubation Complications, Intubation With Uncuffed Endotracheal Tube
- What is being tested?
- Hyperangulated videolaryngoscopy
- Type of treatment
- Medical device
- Could I receive a placebo?
- No, everyone receives an active treatment
- How many people
- 500 participants
- Where
- 1 siteUnited Kingdom
- Study dates
- Nov 2026to Sep 2027
- Phase
- Interventional
- Are there results?
- Not yet: the study is under way
Key requirements
Who can take part, as listed by the sponsor. Only the study team can confirm whether you are eligible, so take this list to your doctor.
- Ages 18 years and older
- All sexes
- Healthy volunteers accepted
- Adult, Older adult
Who may be able to join
- Adult patients undergoing surgical procedures requiring tracheal intubation as part of their routine anaesthetic care
- Patients undergoing either naso- or oro-tracheal intubation
- Patients undergoing tracheal intubation with or without administration of neuromuscular blocking agents (e.g. those undergoing surgery where facial nerve or recurrent laryngeal nerve monitoring will be utilised)
Who cannot join
- Patients <18 years of age
- Patients in whom tracheal intubation is not required as part of their routine anaesthetic care
- Patients in whom tracheal intubation was not planned as part of their routine anaesthetic care, but was required as a rescue technique (e.g. for failed insertion of a supraglottic airway) since appropriate patient consent will not have been obtained · Patients that are physiologically unstable (where clinical care must take priority and/or patient is unable to consent for inclusion in the study)
Trial locations and contacts
1 site in 1 country. Contact the study team or a site near you to ask about taking part.
United Kingdom1 site
St John's Hospital
Livingston
Murray Geddes, +44(0)1506523064
About this study
Official title: McGrath X-blade Study
When patients have a general anaesthetic (go to sleep for surgery), the anaesthetist often places a small tube into their windpipe (intubation) to help them breathe. To see exactly where to put the tube, the anaesthetist uses a device called a laryngoscope.
A commonly used laryngoscope is the McGrath videolaryngoscope. It has a small camera and screen to help guide safe placement of the tube. It comes in two different shapes - one shaped in the same way laryngoscopes have been shaped for the last 80 years, and another newer design (McGrath X-blade) that matches the curve of patients' tongues better.
Read more
All different classes of videolaryngoscope have been shown to have benefits to patients; however, the best videolaryngoscope shape has yet to be determined.
The McGrath X-blade is currently recommended in patients in whom the anaesthetist thinks it might be slightly more difficult to place the tube, but some anaesthetists already prefer to use it in all their patients. This is not a new device or a new technique.
In this study, the investigators wish to explore if there is any special benefit of using it in all patients, by collecting some information when the device is used.
- Being tested
- Hyperangulated videolaryngoscopy
- Keywords
- videolaryngoscopy, hyperangulated blade, first-pass success, airway management
What participants receive
What participants receive. In a randomised study each person is assigned to one group by chance.
Hyperangulated videolaryngoscopyDevice
Hyperangulated videolaryngoscopy using McGrath X-blade
| Study group | Role | What they receive |
|---|---|---|
| Use of McGrath X-blade to facilitate tracheal intubation | Experimental | Unselected adult patients who have been assessed as requiring tracheal intubation for their surgical intervention/ongoing care, will undergo their intubation procedure facilitated by McGrath X-blade Receives: Device: Hyperangulated videolaryngoscopy |
What is being measured
The primary outcome is the main question the study is designed to answer.
First-pass success
Incidence of successful tracheal intubation at the first attempt (without complications) using the McGrath-X blade
Measured: 5 minutes
Secondary outcomes (2)
Overall incidence of tracheal intubation success
Overall incidence of tracheal intubation success with the McGrath-X blade without complications (maximum of 3 attempts with the device)
Measured: 5 minutes
Incidence of complications
Incidence of immediate airway-related complications
Measured: 5 minutes
Timeline
From the start of the study to its completion; the mark is today. Estimated dates are the sponsor’s plan.
- First posted20 May 2026
- Study startNov 2026 (estimated)
- Primary completionJun 2027 (estimated)
- Study completionSep 2027 (estimated)
Resources
- Official record on ClinicalTrials.govThe registry entry this page is built from, with its full change history.
- Publications (2)Papers the sponsor has linked to this study.
- Other trials for Intubation SkillStudies of the same condition, open and under way.
- What the trial phases meanHow a treatment moves from first tests in people to approval.
More details
For doctors and researchers: how the study is designed, who runs it, and its registry IDs.
Study design
- Study type
- Interventional
- Phase
- Phase N/A
- Primary purpose
- Other
- Allocation
- Not applicable
- Intervention model
- Single group
- Model description
- Define the patient population in whom an approved well-established medical device can be used optimally
- Masking
- None (open label)
- Enrolment
- 500 participants (estimated)
Sponsor and investigators
- Lead sponsor
- NHS Lothian
- Sponsor type
- Other government
- Collaborators
- Medtronic
- Responsible party
- Sponsor
- Investigators
- Patrick A Ward, Study director, NHS Lothian
IDs, dates and publications
- ClinicalTrials.gov ID
- NCT07600502
- Sponsor's protocol ID
- 350850
- Status last verified
- Sep 2026
- First submitted
- 30 Apr 2026
- Last updated
- 24 Sep 2026
- Results posted
- No
- Data monitoring committee
- No
- FDA-regulated drug
- No
- FDA-regulated device
- No
- Individual data sharing
- No
Publications
Saul SA, Ward PA, McNarry AF. Airway Management: The Current Role of Videolaryngoscopy. J Pers Med. 2023 Aug 29;13(9):1327. doi: 10.3390/jpm13091327.
PubMed 37763095Hansel J, Rogers AM, Lewis SR, Cook TM, Smith AF. Videolaryngoscopy versus direct laryngoscopy for adults undergoing tracheal intubation: a Cochrane systematic review and meta-analysis update. Br J Anaesth. 2022 Oct;129(4):612-623. doi: 10.1016/j.bja.2022.05.027. Epub 2022 Jul 9.
PubMed 35820934
Study at a glance
From the registry record, last updated by the sponsor on 24 Sep 2026. Recruitment status is as the sponsor reported it: confirm with the study team.
- Official title
- McGrath X-blade Study
- ClinicalTrials.gov ID
- NCT07600502
- Acronym / sponsor ID
- 350850
- Keywords
- videolaryngoscopy, hyperangulated blade, first-pass success, airway management
- Study type
- Interventional
- Recruitment status
- Not yet recruiting
- Enrolment
- 500 participants (estimated)
- Lead sponsor
- NHS LothianOther government
- Collaborators
- Medtronic
- Study start
- Nov 2026 (estimated)
- Primary completion
- Jun 2027 (estimated)
- Study completion
- Sep 2027 (estimated)
- First posted
- 20 May 2026 (actual)
- Results
- Not posted in the source record
Clinical summary
The research question as the sponsor registered it. This describes what the study plans to test, not what it found.
When patients have a general anaesthetic (go to sleep for surgery), the anaesthetist often places a small tube into their windpipe (intubation) to help them breathe. To see exactly where to put the tube, the anaesthetist uses a device called a laryngoscope.
A commonly used laryngoscope is the McGrath videolaryngoscope. It has a small camera and screen to help guide safe placement of the tube. It comes in two different shapes - one shaped in the same way laryngoscopes have been shaped for the last 80 years, and another newer design (McGrath X-blade) that matches the curve of patients' tongues better.
All different classes of videolaryngoscope have been shown to have benefits to patients; however, the best videolaryngoscope shape has yet to be determined.
The McGrath X-blade is currently recommended in patients in whom the anaesthetist thinks it might be slightly more difficult to place the tube, but some anaesthetists already prefer to use it in all their patients. This is not a new device or a new technique.
In this study, the investigators wish to explore if there is any special benefit of using it in all patients, by collecting some information when the device is used.
Study design
- Primary purpose
- Other
- Allocation
- Not applicable
- Intervention model
- Single group
- Masking
- None (open label)
- Number of arms
- 1
- Model description
- Define the patient population in whom an approved well-established medical device can be used optimally
| Arm | Type | Receives |
|---|---|---|
| Use of McGrath X-blade to facilitate tracheal intubation | Experimental | Device: Hyperangulated videolaryngoscopyUnselected adult patients who have been assessed as requiring tracheal intubation for their surgical intervention/ongoing care, will undergo their intubation procedure facilitated by McGrath X-blade |
Who may qualify
- Ages
- 18 years and older
- Sex
- All
- Healthy volunteers
- Accepted
- Age groups
- Adult, Older adult
Key inclusion criteria (3 listed)
- Adult patients undergoing surgical procedures requiring tracheal intubation as part of their routine anaesthetic care
- Patients undergoing either naso- or oro-tracheal intubation
- Patients undergoing tracheal intubation with or without administration of neuromuscular blocking agents (e.g. those undergoing surgery where facial nerve or recurrent laryngeal nerve monitoring will be utilised)
Key exclusion criteria (3 listed)
- Patients <18 years of age
- Patients in whom tracheal intubation is not required as part of their routine anaesthetic care
- Patients in whom tracheal intubation was not planned as part of their routine anaesthetic care, but was required as a rescue technique (e.g. for failed insertion of a supraglottic airway) since appropriate patient consent will not have been obtained · Patients that are physiologically unstable (where clinical care must take priority and/or patient is unable to consent for inclusion in the study)
Eligibility is decided by the study team after screening; this overview does not establish that a patient qualifies. Full inclusion and exclusion criteria.
Interventions
| Intervention | Type | Arms |
|---|---|---|
| Hyperangulated videolaryngoscopyHyperangulated videolaryngoscopy using McGrath X-blade | Device | Use of McGrath X-blade to facilitate tracheal intubation |
Primary outcome
First-pass success
Time frame: 5 minutes
Incidence of successful tracheal intubation at the first attempt (without complications) using the McGrath-X blade
2 secondary outcomes
Overall incidence of tracheal intubation success
Time frame: 5 minutes
Incidence of complications
Time frame: 5 minutes
Results and safety
This study is still under way. Results are not available in the source record yet.
Research links
- Official record on ClinicalTrials.govLast updated by the sponsor 24 Sep 2026.
- Background: PubMed 37763095Saul SA, Ward PA, McNarry AF. Airway Management: The Current Role of Videolaryngoscopy. J Pers Med. 2023 Aug 29;13(9):1327. doi: 10.3390/jpm13091327.
- Background: PubMed 35820934Hansel J, Rogers AM, Lewis SR, Cook TM, Smith AF. Videolaryngoscopy versus direct laryngoscopy for adults undergoing tracheal intubation: a Cochrane systematic review and meta-analysis update. Br J Anaesth. 2022 Oct;129(4):612-623. doi: 10.1016/j.bja.2022.05.027. Epub 2022 Jul 9.
- Individual participant dataSharing planned: No
Related trials for Intubation Skill
Recruiting
Success Rates of Video- vs. Direct Laryngoscopy for Endotracheal Intubation in Anesthesiology Residents: A Randomized Controlled Trial" (The JuniorDoc-VL-Trial)
Intubation Complication, Intubation
Referral and contact
AzTrials does not enrol participants or take referrals. Contact the study team or a site listed below; they decide who can take part.
Patrick A Ward study director
NHS Lothian
1 site in 1 country: see every site and its status.
Questions about this trial
What is this clinical trial studying?
A study testing Hyperangulated videolaryngoscopy in people with Intubation Skill and Intubation Complications, run by NHS Lothian at 1 site in United Kingdom.
The full registered description is in the About this study section and the official record.
Who may be eligible to take part?
The sponsor lists 3 inclusion and 3 exclusion criteria. Eligibility is decided by the study team after screening, so read the full criteria and contact a listed site.
Is this clinical trial currently recruiting?
The record says: opening soon, as of the sponsor's last update on 24 Sep 2026. Status can change between updates, so confirm with the study contact before making plans.
Where is the study taking place?
The record lists 1 site in United Kingdom. Whether a site is taking part right now should be confirmed with that site. See every site.
What are the possible benefits and risks?
They depend on the study and the treatment, and no study can promise a benefit. The study team explains the known risks during informed consent, before anyone joins; the record itself does not list them.
Are results available for this study?
This study is still under way. Results are not available in the source record yet.
How can a doctor refer a patient or contact the research team?
Contact Patrick A Ward (+44(0)1506523064, patrick.ward@nhs.scot), or a site near the patient. AzTrials does not enrol participants or take referrals.
What does the primary outcome measure?
First-pass success (time frame: 5 minutes). It is what the study was designed to measure, not a finding.
Where can I read the original study information?
On the ClinicalTrials.gov record for NCT07600502, which also lists 2 linked publications.
Does a listing mean the treatment is approved or proven to work?
No. A listing means the study is registered. It does not show that the treatment is safe, works, or is approved by a regulator.
How often is this information updated?
AzTrials copies changed records from ClinicalTrials.gov every night and reloads the whole registry every week. The sponsor last updated this record on 24 Sep 2026.