Air Medical Transport of Cardiac
Patients
Transport without major complications
This literature review conducted in 2003
looked at the efficacy of air medical transfer of cardiac patients. Several
potential risks of flight were identified including hypoxia at altitude,
patient anxiety related to the flight, and complications related to patient
movement.
Short distance emergency helicopter
transport of patients with acute myocardial infarction was found to be safe.
Long distance elective commercial transport is safe within 2 to 3 weeks
following acute coronary syndrome in patients without high risk. Long distance
elective air transport, limited to one study, was found to be safe 3 to 7 days
after admission or 48 to 72 hours after resolution of chest pain. Long distance
emergency air ambulance transport was reported without major complications.
Further research is needed using large
prospective studies to better define criteria for safe long distance air
medical transport and revision of current guidelines may be needed to include
the use of medical escorts and intensive level equipped air ambulances. For
more information, see:
Essebag V, Halabi AB, Churchill-Smith M
& Lutchmedial S. (2003) Air medical transport of cardiac patients. Chest,
124, 1937-1945. [review prepared by Andrew Reimer BSN RN] |
