05/22/2026
FLIGHT-to-ECPR study: Helicopter-EMS-facilitated hospital-based pathway to expand rural access to in cardiac arrest?? Geographic constraints frequently extend the 60' low-flow time interval in rural settings!
๐ 45 adults (18โ75 years) with refractory VF/VT OHCA meeting eligibility criteria underwent FLIGHT activation, Aug 2021 - Dec 2025
๐ฉธ 60% received ECPR, low-flow = 85.9'ยฑ29.3
๐ซ 83.7% witnessed arrests, 69% received bystander CPR
โฑ๏ธ 9-1-1โtoโhospital arrival time 70'ยฑ18; HEMS scene & flight times 18'ยฑ11 & 18'ยฑ6
๐ง overall favourable neurologic survival (CPC 1-2) 33.3%: 25.9% in ECPR group, 44.4% in non-cannulated patients achieving ROSC or meeting termination criteria
In matched ECPR patients, similar low-flow times, with identical favourable survival. No differences in cannulation performance, run duration, LoS.
HEMS-facilitated strategy feasible and safely expands access to advanced resuscitation beyond traditional urban catchment areas, while preserving outcomes comparable to standard ground-transport ECPR, without evidence of harm among patients not undergoing cannulation. Geography alone should not preclude ECPR when timely reperfusion can be maintained.
Center for Resuscitation Medicine
๐ https://bit.ly/3PAaOI4
