The French airbridge for circulatory support in the Carribean

Abstract

Objectives: We report the assessment and the activities for the first year of our airborne circulatory support mobile unit (CSMU) in the French Caribbean.

Methods: From January 2010 to June 2011, 12 patients (mean age = 35.7 years; range: 15-62 years; sex ratio = 1:1) were attended outside Martinique by our CSMU and transferred to our unit by air.

Results: Eight patients had acute respiratory distress syndrome and were assisted by veno-venous extra corporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) four had refractory cardiogenic shock, assisted by extra corporeal life support (ECLS). The average air transfer distance for patients was 912 km (range: 198-1585 km). The average flying time was 124 min (range: 45-255 min). The aircraft used were helicopter, military transport or private jet. The setting-up of assistance devices and transfer of patients was uneventful. One patient subsequently benefited from heart transplantation after long-term circulatory support. One patient died under ECMO support after 51 days of assistance and another died on the 60th day after withdrawal of ECLS.

Conclusions: CSMUs can be very efficient in providing support to patients in refractory shock, when remote from a cardiac surgery centre. The airborne transfer of patients on ECMO/ECLS can be achieved safely, even over long distances.

Figure 1:

Alert procedure.

Figure 2:

CASA : military aircraft.