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Defibrillation and external pacing in flight: incidence and implications.
Stuart Daly1, Helen J Milne, Dan P Holmes
1Emergency Medical Retrieval Service, Glasgow, UK.
Emergency Medicine Journal : EMJ
|December 25, 2012
Summary
Emergency electrical interventions like defibrillation are needed in 1.1% of aeromedical transfers for critically ill patients. These interventions require careful procedures due to unique transport challenges and potential safety issues.
Area of Science:
- Critical Care Medicine
- Aeromedical Transport
- Cardiology
Background:
- Emergency electrical interventions (defibrillation, cardioversion, pacing) are life-saving treatments.
- Portable medical technology enables electrical interventions during patient transport.
- Increasing air transport of critically ill patients necessitates understanding electrical intervention during aeromedical transfers.
Purpose of the Study:
- To determine the incidence of electrical intervention in critically ill patients during aeromedical transfer.
- To review the associated risks of electrical intervention in this context.
Main Methods:
- A retrospective review of all secondary retrievals by a national aeromedical critical care retrieval service.
- Data collected over a 48-month period.
Main Results:
- 1.1% (11 of 967) of secondary aeromedical retrievals required electrical intervention.
- Patients were elderly (median age 77) with primary cardiac conditions and high arrhythmia risk.
- Median transport time was 70 minutes.
Conclusions:
- Electrical interventions during aeromedical transport present unique challenges and safety concerns.
- A small but significant incidence of electrical intervention is required during aeromedical flights.
- Robust procedures are essential for the safe delivery of electrical interventions in aeromedical services.
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