Pathophysiological changes during medical helicopter transport in the Canary Islands and their relationship with meteorological conditions.

Objective: To identify hemodynamic changes in helitransported patients and how they are affected by meteorological factors and transport characteristics.

Methods: A longitudinal study was conducted using the Canary Islands Emergency Service medical records database, from January 1, 2022, to December 31, 2022. Data from patients without mechanical ventilation or administration of vasoactive drugs were used. Systolic and diastolic blood pressure (BP), oxygen saturation, and heart rate (HR) variables were collected before, during, and at the end of the transfer, were collected. Meteorological variables during the flight, as well as sociodemographic variables, were taken into account. For bivariate analyses, Student's t-tests and ANOVA were used to assess the relationship between the variables described above. Mixed linear regression models were used to assess factors associated with hemodynamic changes.

Results: The 383 patients experienced changes in HR, oxygen saturation, and BP. These changes are due to altitude, exposure to wind and temperature variations. The study also shows that the duration of the flight and the speed of the helicopter affect hemodynamic stability.

Conclusions: Significant changes in HR, oxygen saturation and systolic BP during flights, which are restored after landing. The climatic conditions in the islands and altitude characteristic of this area influence the patient's physiology.