RT Journal Article
SR Electronic
T1 Management of cardiac conduction abnormalities and arrhythmia in aircrew
JF Heart
JO Heart
FD BMJ Publishing Group Ltd and British Cardiovascular Society
SP s38
OP s49
DO 10.1136/heartjnl-2018-313057
VO 105
IS Suppl 1
A1 Norbert Guettler
A1 Dennis Bron
A1 Olivier Manen
A1 Gary Gray
A1 Thomas Syburra
A1 Rienk Rienks
A1 Joanna d’Arcy
A1 Eddie D Davenport
A1 Edward D Nicol
YR 2019
UL http://heart.bmj.com/content/105/Suppl_1/s38.abstract
AB Cardiovascular diseasesi are the most common cause of loss of flying licence globally, and cardiac arrhythmia is the main disqualifier in a substantial proportion of aircrew. Aircrewii often operate within a demanding physiological environment, that potentially includes exposure to sustained acceleration (usually resulting in a positive gravitational force, from head to feet (+Gz)) in high performance aircraft. Aeromedical assessment is complicated further when trying to discriminate between benign and potentially significant rhythm abnormalities in aircrew, many of whom are young and fit, have a resultant high vagal tone, and among whom underlying cardiac disease has a low prevalence. In cases where a significant underlying aetiology is plausible, extensive investigation is often required and where appropriate should include review by an electrophysiologist. The decision regarding restriction of flying activity will be dependent on several factors including the underlying arrhythmia, associated pathology, risk of incapacitation and/or distraction, the type of aircraft operated, and the specific flight or mission criticality of the role performed by the individual aircrew.