Strategic air medical evacuation of critically ill patients involving an intensive care physician: A retrospective analysis of 16 years of mission data.

Background: Strategic medical evacuation (MEDEVAC) allows airborne repatriation of soldiers injured or sick on missions to their national territory. The aim of this study was to describe the epidemiology of strategic MEDEVAC performed by intensive care physicians (ICP) and to analyze the role of the ICP in the management of critical care situations in flight.

Methods: All soldiers who had high or medium dependency conditions and who benefited from a strategic MEDEVAC with an ICP on board between 1 January 2001 and 30 November 2017 were included in this epidemiological retrospective study.