Clinic treatment and medical assessment of the flying personnel with congenital heart disease

Abstract

Objective To study the diagnosis and treatment of congenital heart disease (CHD) in flying personnel as well as the medical assessment to them. Methods The disease characteristics, prognosis and medical assessment for the 12 flying personnel with CHD, who were hospitalized in Air Force General Hospital from 1993 to 2010, were reviewed. Results Diagnosis and medical assessments showed that: ① There were 3 ventricular septal defect (VSD) cases, 2 bicuspid aortic valve deformity cases and 1 coronary artery fistula case. All of them did not receive any special surgical treatment and were disqualified for flying eventually. ② A aerial engineer was diagnosed as foramen ovale open (PFO) and he was eventually qualified. One bicuspid aortic valve deformity case was assessed as qualified for the flying for his original aircraft type. ③ There was 1 atrial septal defect (ASD) case. Even he received surgical repair successfully, but was still disqualified eventually. ④ There were 1 patent ductus arteriosus (PDA) case and 2 ASD cases that received medical interventional closure. In 6 to 14 months period of temporary grounding period, the pilot with PDA and one pilot with ASD were closely followed-up and passed strict medical examinations. They were qualified for flying eventually. But another ASD pilot was still in observation and temporary grounded. Conclusions Once flying personnel is diagnosed as CHD, doctors should give individual assessment upon clinical symptom, type of aircraft and prognosis. Occluder interventional therapy for CHD is safe and effective. The recovered flying personnel by successful treatment could be considered to return flying. Key words: Heart defects, congenital; Arterio-arterial fistula; Heart valve diseases; Eligibility determination