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Lung Function During Hoist Rescue Operations

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  28 June 2012

Rolf E. Haagensen ,
Karl-Ake Sjöborg ,
Stig Mjelstad ,
Rescue man  and
Petter A. Steen
Rolf E. Haagensen*
Affiliation:
Department of Intensive Care, Ullevaal Hospital, Oslo, Norway
Karl-Ake Sjöborg
Affiliation:
Norwegian Air Ambulance, Banak, Norway
Stig Mjelstad
Affiliation:
Department of Intensive Care, Ullevaal Hospital, Oslo, Norway
Rescue man
Affiliation:
Royal Norwegian Air Force Banak, Norway
Petter A. Steen
Affiliation:
Department of Anesthesia, Ullevaal Hospital, Oslo, Norway
*
Dept. of Intensive Care, Division of Acute Medicine, Ullevaal University Hospital, 0407 Oslo, Norway
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Abstract

Introduction: 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.

Conclusion: 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.

Keywords

air ambulancesasthmaemergency medical servicesrespiratory function testsspirometrytransportation of patientsvital capacity
Type
Case Report
Information
Prehospital and Disaster Medicine , Volume 13 , Issue 1 , March 1998 , pp. 65 - 68
Copyright
Copyright © World Association for Disaster and Emergency Medicine 1998

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References

1. Nunn, JF: Nunn s Applied Respiratory Physiology. 4th ed. Butterworth-Heinemann Ltd: London England 1993.Google Scholar
2. Wade, OL, Gilson, JC: The effect of posture on diaphragmatic movement and vital capacity in normal subjects. Thorax 1951;6:103–125.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed