1. In-Flight Hypoxemia in a Tracheostomy-Dependent Infant
- Author
-
Jason Quevreaux and Christopher Cropsey
- Subjects
Aviation ,business.industry ,Cardiac pathology ,Case Report ,030204 cardiovascular system & hematology ,medicine.disease ,Hypoxemia ,lcsh:RD78.3-87.3 ,03 medical and health sciences ,0302 clinical medicine ,Anesthesiology and Pain Medicine ,Domestic flight ,lcsh:Anesthesiology ,medicine ,030212 general & internal medicine ,Medical emergency ,medicine.symptom ,business ,Healthcare providers - Abstract
Millions of passengers board commercial flights every year. Healthcare providers are often called upon to treat other passengers during in-flight emergencies. The case presented involves an anesthesia resident treating a tracheostomy-dependent infant who developed hypoxemia on a domestic flight. The patient had an underlying congenital muscular disorder and was mechanically ventilated while at altitude. Although pressurized, cabin barometric pressure while at altitude is less than at sea level. Due to this environment patients with underlying pulmonary or cardiac pathology might not be able to tolerate commercial flight. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has mandated a specific set of medical supplies be present on all domestic flights in addition to legislature protecting “Good Samaritan” providers.
- Published
- 2017