Coil embolization for ruptured intracranial aneurysm transported from islnads

• Published in: Journal of Neuroendovascular Therapy Vol. 2; no. 2; pp. 145 - 148
• Main Authors: MITSUHASHI, Takashi, OISHI, Hidenori, NOMOTO, Tatsuya, YOSHIDA, Kensaku, UEKI, Yasuyuki, ARAI, Hajime
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: Japanese; English
• Published: The Japanese Society for Neuroendovascular Therapy 2008
• Subjects: air transportation; coil embolization; islands and community medicine; outcome; subarachnoid hemorrhage
• ISSN: 1882-4072; 2186-2494
• DOI: 10.5797/jnet.2.145

Purpose: A retrospective analysis was conducted to determine risks and benefits of emergency air medical transportation for patients with subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH) due to ruptured aneurysm treated by coil embolization. Method: Analysis of 82 consecutive patients with SAH treated at our hospital over the last 4 years was performed. These patients were divided into two groups: those transported by air due to lack of access to a local neurosurgical facility (Islands group: 15 patients), and those transported by ground transportation, i.e. an ambulance (Vicinity group: 67 patients). Results: Mean travel time was 66 minutes in the Islands group. Age distribution, sex, Hunt and Hess grade, and Fisher CT grade did not differ significantly between the two groups, however location of the aneurysm was significantly different (p<0.04). There were no re-ruptured aneurysms in the Islands group. At the time of discharge, 75% of the patients in the Islands group and 68% in the Vicinity group were considered to have a good outcome (good recovery and moderate disability on the Glasgow outcome scale), indicating that air transportation had no relationship to outcome. Conclusion: Air transportation of patients with SAH had no disadvantages for outcome compared to ground transportation.