ARDS with severe hypoxia--aeromedical transportation during prone ventilation

Anaesth Intensive Care. 2003 Dec;31(6):675-8. doi: 10.1177/0310057X0303100613.

Abstract

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.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Air Ambulances
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Hypoxia / complications*
  • Hypoxia / therapy
  • Multiple Trauma / complications*
  • Multiple Trauma / physiopathology
  • Positive-Pressure Respiration*
  • Prone Position
  • Respiratory Distress Syndrome / complications*
  • Transportation of Patients / methods*