Summary of experience in transporting patients with extracorporeal membrane oxygenation by fixed-wing aircraft
Chen Wu
Gong Xiujing
Wang Jing
Wang Tianlong
Wang Jian
Teng Yuan
Liu Gang
Yan Shujie
Zhang Dachun
Wang Min
Li Qingyou
Wang Rui
Wei Yanfang
Ji Bingyang
Abstract：Objective To summarize the experience of fixed-wing aircraft transport for critically ill patients supported by extracorporeal membrane oxygenation(ECMO).Methods Data of 11 ECMO-supported patients transported by fixed-wing aircraft from May 2017 to March 2023 by the Beijing Red Cross 999 Aero-Medical Rescue Team in collaboration with relevant medical units were retrospectively collected and analyzed.The precautions and potential adverse events during fixed-wing aircraft transport of ECMO patients were summarized.Results Of the 11 patients,9 were male and 2 were female,with an average age of(56.6±16.6)years.Ten patients were diagnosed with severe pneumonia,and one patient was diagnosed with cardiomyopathy complicated by cardiogenic shock.Ten patients received veno-venous(V-V)ECMO,and one patient received veno-arterial(V-A)ECMO.Two patients(18%)were transported by B-1999 fixed-wing aircraft,while nine patients(82%)were transported by B-5999 fixed-wing aircraft,with a flight distance of(713.9±388.6)km,flight time of(1.5±0.7)h,and total transport time of(4.4±0.8)h.The transport medical team consisted of four members(two doctors and two nurses).All patients were successfully transported,with two patients experiencing adverse reactions during transport,including decreased heart rate and decreased partial pressure of oxygen during flight.Conclusion Fixed-wing aircraft aerial medical rescue for ECMO patients is safe and feasible with a professional and experienced ECMO medical team and adequate equipment preparation.
Keywords：Extracorporeal membrane oxygenationFixed-wing aircraftSevere pneumoniaTransport
Publication Date：2024-08-28
Online Publishing Date：2025-08-15(First online date of this platform, not the publication date of the document)
Pages：6( 287-292 )