Highlight
- The airway opening index (AOI), measured via capnography during pediatric CPR, is a novel quantitative metric reflecting airway patency.
- AOI ≥0.35 during resuscitation is associated with improved survival to hospital discharge and favorable neurological outcomes.
- Higher AOI also correlates with better post-arrest physiological profiles, such as lower peak arterial lactate levels.
- These findings remain consistent after excluding patients receiving extracorporeal CPR, suggesting robustness of AOI as a prognostic indicator.
