External Ventricular Devices in Aeromedical Retrieval- Are they Safe?

Nationally, 1-2 % of the population will sustain a significant bleed due to the rupture of an abnormal ballooning of the blood vessels within the brain. A complication of this, called hydrocephalus, requires a drain to be inserted into the brain to reduce excessive fluid build-up, until the definitive management is achieved. Advances in interventional radiology techniques such as endovascular coiling have become common practice in the management of these patients. In Queensland, endovascular coiling is mostly performed in Brisbane, and therefore patients outside of the Brisbane area are required to travel for this treatment. For critically unwell patients in North Queensland, the only option is aeromedical retrieval. This area of aeromedical retrieval has not been previously explored therefore this project will look at the safety of aeromedical transports of patients with an invasive drain in a patient’s brain to work towards statewide guidelines.