ARDS with severe hypoxia--aeromedical transportation during prone ventilation.
Severe hypoxia, despite maximal conventional respiratory support, is one of the few remaining limitations to aeromedical transportation. A case of a 35-year-old female, who was referred 36 hours following major trauma for transfer by air to a tertiary center, is presented. At the time of referral the PaO2/FiO2 ratio was 48. Usual manoeuvres to improve oxygenation had only minimal impact. The patient was turned and subsequently transported prone with resultant improvement in PaO2/FiO2 ratio to 260. There were no patient- or transport-related adverse events. The implication of prone positioning during aeromedical transportation is discussed.
Flabouris
A
A
NRMA CareFlight, New South Wales Medical Retrieval and Rescue Service, Sydney, New South Wales.
Schoettker
P
P
Garner
A
A
D000328:Adult; D017732:Air Ambulances; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D000860:Hypoxia / Q000150:complications* / Q000628:therapy; D009104:Multiple Trauma / Q000150:complications* / Q000503:physiopathology; D011175:Positive-Pressure Respiration; D016684:Prone Position; D012128:Respiratory Distress Syndrome / Q000150:complications*; D014187:Transportation of Patients / Q000379:methods*