• K Witzel, M Elzer, and C Raschka.
• Herz-Jesu-Krankenhaus Fulda. kai.witzel@web.de
• Anaesthesist. 2002 Apr 1; 51 (4): 258-62.

PurposeThe emergency transport in an ambulance can be a considerable physical and psychological stress for the patient. In this article we report on a stress test with 23 volunteers transported in an emergency helicopter.MethodsWe determined the hemodynamic and endocrinological values of 23 volunteers after a standardised 15-minute transportation in a helicopter type EC 135.ResultsDuring the take-off we registered an increase of the heart rate of 18% and endocrinological parameters were elevated up to 51%. All the registered values were within the physiological tolerance level. Psychological tests showed a feeling of fear and agitation before take-off, but after the flight the volunteers reported less stress than expected.ConclusionThe stress situation is caused by fear of the flight, that cannot be objectively justified. The relatively low stress induction by helicopter transportation might be an indication that there should be more patient transport with modern helicopters, especially for non-trauma patients. This subject deserves further investigation.

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