• Daniel J O'Brien, Edmond A Hooker, Jodie Hignite, and Eric Maughan.
• Department of Emergency Medicine, University of Louisville, School of Medicine, and StatCare, Louisville, KY 40202, USA.
• South. Med. J. 2004 Sep 1; 97 (9): 816-8.

ObjectivesAeromedical obstetrical transports are mostly performed utilizing helicopters. The program here reviewed performs mostly fixed-wing transports. The purpose of the current study is to review our fixed-wing transfers and identify the complications encountered.MethodsA retrospective review was conducted of the fixed-wing obstetrical air transports performed by the StatCare aeromedical transport service from July 1, 2000 through June 30, 2002. Information on each patient (age, gestational age, gravida status, diagnosis, preflight physical examination) was collected using a data sheet. Also noted were any described complications.ResultsDuring the 24-month study period, 80 fixed-wing transports were performed. In-flight complications included nausea and vomiting (80%), increased contractions (8.8%), hypertension (1.3%), hypotension (1.3%), decreased maternal respiratory drive (1.3%), and infiltrated intravenous line (1.3%).ConclusionsThe complications encountered during long-distance fixed-wing aeromedical transport of obstetrical patients include nausea and vomiting, increased contractions, hypertension, hypotension, decreased maternal respiratory drive, and an infiltrated intravenous line.

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