PMID- 21154297
OWN - NLM
STAT- MEDLINE
DCOM- 20120123
LR  - 20101214
IS  - 2081-3252 (Electronic)
IS  - 1641-9251 (Linking)
VI  - 62
IP  - 3
DP  - 2010
TI  - Cardiovascular disease (CVD) in the Norwegian Arctic. Air ambulance operations 
      1999-2009 and future challenges in the region.
PG  - 117-22
AB  - BACKGROUND: Air ambulance operations in the Arctic have to deal with remote 
      locations, long distances, rough weather conditions, seasonable darkness, and 
      almost no alternative for landing. Despite these challenges, people expect high 
      quality, specialist health care. OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to analyse air 
      ambulance operations due to cardiovascular disease (CVD) in the Arctic and employ 
      the result as an instrument for future suggestions. Melting ice in the Arctic Sea 
      opens new prospects for shipping, adventures, and oil/gas industry. MATERIAL AND 
      METHODS: In February 2010 all air ambulance operations performed in the Arctic 
      during the period 1999 to 2009 were analysed. The population of this study 
      covered patients with CVD. The state of emergency, state of seriousness (the 
      National Advisory Committee on Aeronautics (NACA) scale was used), flight time, 
      destination, and flying time were the main outcome measures. A total of 45 
      patients (myocardial infarction 31, angina pectoris 11, and heart failure 4 
      patients) were identified. There were 39 Norwegians and 6 people of other 
      nationalities. The mean age was 57 years (range 43-83 years) RESULTS: Thirteen 
      cardiac incidents occurred in June and July. Most cases (26 patients) were 
      considered urgent or emergent, and the mean NACA score was 4 (range 3-6). The 
      adjusted female/male ratio was 0.222, and the median flying time (one way) was 3 
      h 25 min (range 1 h-6 h 40 min). Four flights were delayed, and one fifth of 
      patients were transported during the night (midnight to 8.00 AM). CONCLUSIONS: 
      Air ambulance operations in the Arctic experience significant challenges. In the 
      near future more shipping and polar adventure operations together with new oil 
      and gas installations will increase the demand for health care support. 
      Telemedical installations onboard vessels and rigs will be important for remote 
      consultation and treatment.
FAU - Norum, Jan
AU  - Norum J
AD  - Northern Norway Regional Health Authority, Bodo, Norway. jan.norum@helse-nord.no
LA  - eng
PT  - Journal Article
PT  - Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
PL  - Poland
TA  - Int Marit Health
JT  - International maritime health
JID - 100958373
SB  - IM
MH  - Adult
MH  - Aged
MH  - Aged, 80 and over
MH  - Air Ambulances/*statistics & numerical data
MH  - Arctic Regions/epidemiology
MH  - Cardiovascular Diseases/*epidemiology
MH  - Cold Temperature/adverse effects
MH  - Female
MH  - Humans
MH  - Incidence
MH  - Male
MH  - Middle Aged
MH  - Norway/epidemiology
MH  - Risk Factors
EDAT- 2010/12/15 06:00
MHDA- 2012/01/24 06:00
CRDT- 2010/12/15 06:00
PHST- 2010/12/15 06:00 [entrez]
PHST- 2010/12/15 06:00 [pubmed]
PHST- 2012/01/24 06:00 [medline]
PST - ppublish
SO  - Int Marit Health. 2010;62(3):117-22.