Treatment interventions and outcomes of stroke patients transported by helicopter emergency medical services…

Cohort studyCJEM· Aug 2026

Treatment interventions and outcomes of stroke patients transported by helicopter emergency medical services to a comprehensive stroke center.

M Freymond, K Genise, D O'Dochartaigh … K Lin

Prehospital & RetrievalCohort studyClinical practice

About one-third of helicopter-transported stroke patients received neuro-intervention.

Treatment interventions and outcomes of stroke patients transported by helicopter emergency medical services to a comprehensive stroke center.

M Freymond … K Lin

CJEM · Aug 2026

Purpose

The purpose of this study was to describe characteristics and clinical outcomes of patients with known or suspected ischemic stroke transported via helicopter Emergency Medical Services and identify pre-transport factors associated with receiving neuro-intervention.

Methods

This four-year population study evaluated adults with confirmed or suspected ischemic stroke transported via helicopter Emergency Medical Services to a comprehensive stroke center in Alberta (Jan 1, 2019 to Dec 31, 2022).

n = 226 patients

Results

roughly two thirds went without a clot-retrieval or surgical intervention

OR by subgroup · 95% CI

More results

Conversely, 23% (n = 52) of cases constituted potential 'low-yield' transports.

Pre-transport imaging (OR 5.3; 95% CI 1.8-10.7) and thrombolysis (OR 2.8; 95% CI 1.1-12.9) were associated with neuro-intervention.

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Conclusion · 1 of 2

Approximately one-third of helicopter Emergency Medical Services transports for confirmed or suspected ischemic stroke resulted in neuro-intervention.

Conclusion · 2 of 2

Pre-transport imaging and thrombolysis were strongly associated with neuro-intervention, underscoring the important role of primary stroke centers in optimizing patient care and resource utilization.

Treatment interventions and outcomes of stroke patients transported by helicopter emergency medical services to a comprehensive stroke center.

Treatment interventions and outcomes of stroke patients transported by helicopter emergency medical services to a comprehensive stroke center.

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