A 5-year review of atrial fibrillation in military aircrew
| Autor: | Andrew C. Timperley, Edward Nicol, David C. McLoughlin, Alys H. Hunter, Alastair N. C. Reid |
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| Rok vydání: | 2014 |
| Předmět: |
Adult
Male Adolescent Databases Factual Electric Countershock Work Capacity Evaluation Context (language use) Young Adult Atrial Fibrillation Medicine Humans Paroxysmal AF Fibrillation business.industry Public Health Environmental and Occupational Health Atrial fibrillation Middle Aged medicine.disease United Kingdom Military aviation Search terms Military Personnel Practice Guidelines as Topic Aerospace Medicine Catheter Ablation Aircrew Female Electronic database Medical emergency medicine.symptom business Anti-Arrhythmia Agents |
| Zdroj: | Aviation, space, and environmental medicine. 84(12) |
| ISSN: | 0095-6562 |
| Popis: | INTRODUCTION Atrial fibrillation (AF) is a common cause of disqualification from flying in both civilian and military aircrew. We reviewed 5 yr of atrial fibrillation management in the Royal Air Force (RAF) from both a clinical and occupational perspective. METHODS Patients were identified from the RAF Medical Boards (RAFMB) electronic database using search terms "atrial," "fibrillation," and "arrhythmia." Management was compared to current RAF and national clinical guidelines and current civilian and military aviation medicine policy. RESULTS Over the 5-yr period assessed, 23 aircrew were identified with AF. Paroxysmal AF (PAF) was the most common diagnosis. Five aircrew remained fit to fly with no limitations, 12 fit to fly with restrictions, and 6 were graded permanently unfit for flying, with one of these being medically discharged. DISCUSSION The incidence and demographics of aircrew identified with AF in this paper is comparable to previous studies. All aircrew in our study were treated in accordance with current RAF/national guidelines. Emerging treatments such as radiofrequency ablation and the new anticoagulants remain to be assessed for suitability in a military context. CONCLUSION Management of AF in RAF aircrew requires a holistic approach, with an awareness of the arrhythmogenic aviation environment in which RAF aircrew operate. Most RAF aircrew with AF will retain a restricted flying status, but this should be considered on a case-by-case basis. |
| Databáze: | OpenAIRE |
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