METHODS: This prospective analysis of 37 intubated TBI patients without herniation, undergoing helicopter transport to an urban Level I center, entailed flight crews\' noting of assisted ventilation rate (AVR) and end-tidal carbon dioxide (ETCO2) upon their arrival at trauma scenes or community hospitals. A priori-set levels of AVR and ETCO2 were used to assess frequency of guideline-inconsistent hyperventilation, and Fisher\'s exact and Kruskal-Wallis tests assessed association between guideline-inconsistent hyperventilation and manual vs. mechanical ventilation mode.
RESULTS: Inappropriately high AVR and low ETCO2 were seen in 60% and 70% of patients, respectively. Manual ventilation was associated with guideline-inconsistent hyperventilation assessed by AVR (p = 0.038) and ETCO2 (p = 0.022).
CONCLUSIONS: Prehospital and community hospital hyperventilation practices are not consistent with consensus recommendations for limitation of hyperventilation therapy.