Efficacy of echocardiographic screening of pilot applicants.

Background: The efficacy of cardiac screening programs for individuals in competitive athletics and high-risk occupations such as commercial and military aviation continues to be highly debated. For the past 12 yr, all United States Air Force (USAF) pilot applicants have undergone screening echocardiography.

Methods: All available studies were reviewed for disqualifying (DQ) diagnoses.

Cardiac ischemia model for +Gz using miniature swine and baboons.

Background: Military aircrew with minimal coronary artery disease (MCAD) may be restricted from flying high-performance aircraft due to possible ischemia during high +Gz. An animal model is presented to provide ischemia data for a more informed decision.

Methods: There were 18 swine that were placed on a high cholesterol/high fat diet for up to 57 wk.

Military aviators with mitral valve prolapse: long-term follow-up and aeromedical endpoints.

Introduction: Mitral valve prolapse (MVP) is a disqualifying condition for USAF aviators. Trained USAF aviators, and in recent years flying training applicants, may be granted waiver for initial or continued flying duties following extensive, periodic evaluation. This study examines the usefulness of the various tests performed in that evaluation process and provides long-term follow-up from 404 USAF flyers with MVP.

Transcatheter PFO closure in an aircrew member with cryptogenic stroke: aeromedical disposition.

Stroke is an uncommon event among military aircrew, partly because that population tends to be younger and healthier than typical stroke victims. Aircrew members suffering stroke rarely have identifiable risk factors or etiology that can be treated or modified such that return to flying duties is a consideration. In this case, an aircrew member was found to have a patent foramen ovale (PFO) during his stroke evaluation.

Cases from the aerospace medicine residents' teaching file. Case report of an aviator with focal myocarditis mimicking myocardial infarction with normal coronaries.

A military aviator was initially diagnosed with myocardial infarction following a viral syndrome. Confusion about recurrence of chest pain versus gastritis led to his continued cardiac patient status until this was clarified diagnostically. He was presumed to have had coronary vasospasm, and was treated with a calcium channel blocker.

Sudden incapacitation: occupational aviation medicine perspectives.

Within the aviation environment, occupational medicine tends to focus on pilots, because of the very great effects pilot injury or illness can have on public safety. However, medical conditions of other aviation workers can also endanger public and personal safety. Sudden incapacitation an abrupt loss or impairment of consciousness, control, or performance is the most important occupational concern in aviation medicine.