Lung function during hoist rescue operations.
BACKGROUND
A case is presented in which a 43-year-old man suffering from a severe asthma attack, had ventilatory arrest during a hoisting procedure. Based on this experience, the influence of three hoisting techniques on lung function was tested.


METHODS
The ventilatory capacity of 12 healthy volunteers was tested during three commonly used hoisting techniques: 1) single sling; 2) double sling; or 3) strapped to a stretcher.


RESULTS
The vital capacity (VC) and the one-second, forced expiratory volume (FEV1) were reduced significantly during all hoisting techniques compared to the standing position. The reduction was significantly more pronounced on a stretcher than in either sling position. There were no differences in the FEV1 to VC ratio between the positions.


CONCLUSIONS
The small reduction in ventilatory capacity during hoisting procedures is tolerated easily by healthy individuals, but should be taken into account when planning such procedures on patients with severe pulmonary disease.
Haagensen
R E
RE
Department of Intensive Care, Ullevaal Hospital, Oslo, Norway.
Sjöborg
K A
KA
Mjelstad
S
S
Steen
P A
PA
D000328:Adult; D017732:Air Ambulances; D000704:Analysis of Variance; D001249:Asthma / Q000150:complications / Q000503:physiopathology* / Q000628:therapy*; D004632:Emergency Medical Services / Q000379:methods; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D008991:Monitoring, Physiologic; D009664:Norway; D011187:Posture / Q000502:physiology*; D012016:Reference Values; D018635:Rescue Work / Q000379:methods*; D012129:Respiratory Function Tests; D012131:Respiratory Insufficiency / Q000209:etiology / Q000517:prevention & control; D014187:Transportation of Patients; D014797:Vital Capacity