Intra-aortic Balloon Pump-Dependent Patient Transports by Critical Care Paramedics

Transport of intra-aortic balloon pump (IABP)-dependent patients between hospitals is increasingly common. The transports are typically time-sensitive and require personnel familiar with IABP operation and management of a potentially unstable patient. This study examined transports performed by specially trained critical care paramedics in a large air medical and land critical care transport service.

This retrospective, descriptive review prospectively collected data for IABP-dependent patient transports in Ontario, Canada in a 10-year interval beginning September 2003. Call records and patient care reports were reviewed to capture demographic, patient care, adverse events, and transport-related data. Adverse events, including resuscitation medication, procedure, and patient instability, were independently reviewed by 2 investigators.

There were 162 IABP-dependent patients transported. Seventy-one were performed by land critical care transport vehicles, 60 by helicopter, and 31 by fixed wing aircraft. The mean patient age was 63.7 ± 13.8 years; the majority (72.2%) were men. Fifty-nine patients (36.4%) were inotrope or vasopressor dependent, and 46 (28.4%) were intubated and mechanically ventilated. The most common indications for IABP insertion were acute myocardial infarction requiring prompt surgical intervention (n = 70), bridge to definitive care (n = 41), and cardiogenic shock (n = 37). The mean transport time was 92.7 ± 79.4 minutes. There were 48 adverse events in 35 patients, most commonly hypotension (systolic blood pressure < 90 mm Hg, n = 18) and tachyarrhythmia requiring therapy (n = 12). There were 3 IABP-related events and 3 cases in which the transport vehicle was inoperable resulting in a transport delay. One patient with cardiogenic shock died before departing the sending hospital. Paramedics managed all events without assistance from other health care personnel.

Specially trained critical care flight paramedics can safely transport potentially unstable IABP-dependent patients to definitive cardiac surgical care.