Aviat Space Envir Md
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Aviat Space Envir Md · May 1978
Comparative StudyLaboratory comparison of technique for rewarming hypothermic casualties.
The efficacy of inhalation, hot bath, piped suit and spontaneous rewarming have been directly compared under controlled conditions. Hot bath rewarming was significantly more effective at raising deep body temperature than the piped suit technique and both were more effective than the other two methods. The effect of inhalation rewarming was not significantly different from that of spontaneous rewarming. ⋯ Piped suit rewarming is a convenient field alternative to the use of a hot bath and a simple apparatus for carrying this out is described. The sluggish response of rectal temperature to cooling and rewarming in this study suggests that it should not be relied upon as the sole indicator of a patient's thermal state during treatment. Auditory canal temperature is a more valid substitute.
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Physician passengers on airlines are frequently called to assist the flight crew if an emergency medical situation arises. There have been numerous studies and reports pertaining to medical emergencies inflight, the various aspects of crew responsibility and reaction, and the types of emergency medical supplies available. This paper is to present the comments and opinions of physicians who have been called upon to assist the flight crew during inflight emergency medical situations. The background information is presented followed by statistics as to types of conditions encountered; physicians' responses; physicians' comments as to airline emergency medical supplies; flight crew, airline, and airport responses to medical emergencies and suggestions from physicians as to what significant changes may be indicated.
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Aviat Space Envir Md · Feb 1977
Randomized Controlled Trial Clinical TrialEfficient oxygen mask for patients undergoing hyperbaric oxygen therapy.
Hyperbaric oxygen (HBO) is established therapy for various disorders, but its effectiveness depends on the efficiency of the oxygen delivery system. A mask oxygen delivery system, consisting of the standard USAF aviator's A-14 regulator and the MBU-5/P oxygen mask, is installed in all USAF hyperbaric chambers. The efficiency of the mask oxygen delivery system at the USAF Hyperbaric Center, Brooks AFB, Tx, was evaluated breath-by-breath at sea level and 2.4 ATA via two different measuring techniques. ⋯ Inspiratory gas analyses indicate that the USAF aviator MBU-5/P mask and the A-14 regulator as used at the USAF Hyperbaric Center constitute a highly efficient oxygen delivery system for HBO therapy. This view has been refleced in arterial blood gas measurements and in preliminary data from tissue oxygen measurements in a gas gangrene patient. Future improvements in patient therapy masks are recommended.
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Aviat Space Envir Md · May 1976
Case ReportsCerebral air embolism and cerebral edema: one regimen of treatment.
A case of cerebral air embolism responding immediately to compression to 6 atm is described. The patient, however, developed apparent cerebral edema while being decompressed. ⋯ While a number of other medications known to affect intracranial pressure were used, objective clinical improvement was noted only after hyperbaric oxygen. A question is raised of whether there is an association between the development of cerebral edema and the administration of intravenous 5% glucose in water.