In-Flight Medical Emergencies Management by Anesthetist-Intensivists and Emergency Physicians

Abstract

BACKGROUND: In-flight medical emergencies (IME) are challenging situations: aircraft cabins are noisy and narrow, medical supplies are scarce, and high-altitude related physiological changes may worsen chronic respiratory or cardiac conditions. The aim of this study was to assess the extent to which anesthetist-intensivists and emergency physicians are aware of IME specificities.METHODS: A questionnaire containing 21 items was distributed to French anesthetist-intensivists and emergency physicians between January and May 2020 using the mailing list of the French Society of Anesthesia and Intensive Care Medicine and the French Society of Emergency Medicine. The following topics were evaluated: high-altitude related physiological changes, medical and human resources available inside commercial aircraft, common medical incidents likely to happen on board, and previous personal experiences.RESULTS: The questionnaire was completed by 1064 physicians. The items corresponding to alterations in the arterial oxygen saturation, respiratory rate, and heart rate at cruising altitude were answered correctly by less than half of the participants (respectively, 3%, 42%, and 44% of the participants). Most responders (83%) were interested in a complementary training on IME management.DISCUSSION: The present study illustrates the poor knowledge in the medical community of the physiological changes induced by altitude and their consequences. In addition to offering specific theoretical courses to the medical community, placing sheets in commercial aircraft summarizing the optimal management of the main emergencies likely to happen on board might be an interesting tool.Diop S, Birnbaum R, Cook F, Mounier R. In-flight medical emergencies management by anesthetist-intensivists and emergency physicians. Aerosp Med Hum Perform. 2022; 93(8):633–636.