STEMI and use of Nitro

[Tigger]

My school of thought is this when it comes to flying cardiac arrests of any etiology. I preface this by saying by ground/air the nearest level II is 20/10 minutes away. Nearest level I is 30/15 respectively.

With the lucas device in place, effective compression can be done during any part of the flight. In theory that would address some of the FAA concerns.

Another thing comes to mind as well and that is this pt who has expired is dead however the internal organs that could be removed and transplanted, could save countless lives. Of course this is case by case. I would be thinking more along the lines of single system traumas, ie gsw to head. if that goes to the local ER chances are slim the organs will be viable. Again case by case and hospital by hospital.

The theory is beyond our scope right now but suppose some type of in the field assessment could be done by a Paramedic and Med-Control to decide if these organs can be saved. the fact that driver's licenses state if one is a donor seems like a slam dunk consent wise.

The purpose of HEMS is not to ensure that the organs of a dead person remain viable. The providers onboard are not being used in a meaningful way. A UPS helicopter could provide the same service (not actually sure if UPS has helicopters, but you get the idea...).

If you ask me, the real mission of HEMS is to transport patients that are very far away from tertiary care, a ten minute flight is far too short for justification.

 

[imadriver]

So I asked one of my mentors at work last night about the Epi thing. And this is what he said:

"From what I've herd, Epi is indeed a vasoconstrictor, however, it more effect the peripherals, as to shunt the blood toward the center, so it allow better perfusion to the vital organs."

And as he said, he's really only herd that, so not 100% on the facts here.

 

[LondonMedic]

If you ask me, the real mission of HEMS is to transport patients that are very far away from tertiary care, a ten minute flight is far too short for justification.

IMO, the other real benefit of HEMS is getting specialist treatment delivered to a patient.

 

[Jon]

You can't kill a dead man. In the absence of a pulse you give epi.

Quoted for truth.

OP - Good question. It saddens me to hear you tell of the reaction you got in class.

I like the fact that you are thinking and asking such questions. Remember... there are no stupid questions. Just stupid people. And if you'll come onto a forum and post a question looking for assistance, you ain't stupid, so don't let anyone tell you otherwise.