Aviat Space Envir Md
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Aviat Space Envir Md · Jan 2003
In-flight medical events and aircraft diversions: one airline's experience.
An aging population combined with the increasing mobility of people with acute and chronic illnesses could make an increase in the frequency of in-flight medical events aboard commercial aircraft likely. ⋯ Variations in incidence of medical complaints cited in previous studies demonstrate the need for an industry-wide standardized reporting method of in-flight medical events. All in-flight medical complaints could likely have been adequately treated with the contents of the FM's newly mandated medical kits. Physician participation in decisions to divert aircraft should be sought as it is associated with more appropriate divert decisions.
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Aviat Space Envir Md · Oct 2002
Medical emergencies at a major international airport: in-flight symptoms and ground-based follow-up.
There is limited recent data about the treatments and outcomes of commercial airline passengers who suffer in-flight medical symptoms resulting in subsequent EMS evaluation. The study objectives are to determine incidence, post-flight treatments, outcomes, morbidity, and mortality of these in-flight medical emergencies (IFMEs). ⋯ The incidence of in-flight medical emergencies is small but these IFMEs are potentially lethal. Although the majority of IFME patients have uneventful outcomes, there is associated morbidity and mortality. These included in-flight deaths, in-hospital deaths, and emergency procedures. Cardiac emergencies were the most common of serious EMS evaluated in-flight medical emergencies.
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Aviat Space Envir Md · Oct 2002
Randomized Controlled Trial Clinical TrialThe impact of sertraline on psychomotor performance.
Aircrew receiving treatment for depression are grounded during treatment and follow-up observation, generally amounting to at least 1 yr. Selective serotonin re-uptake inhibitors (SSRls) offer new treatment options for depression, of which sertraline (Zoloft) has the least imposing side-effect profile. There has been considerable interest in the possibility of returning aircrew to restricted flying duties once stablized on an SSRI with resolution of depression. This study was undertaken to determine whether or not sertraline effects psychomotor performance. ⋯ While we found some of the expected side effects due to sertraline, there was no effect on psychomotor performance. These findings support the possibility of selected use in aircrew and should be helpful in the ongoing aeromedical discussion about this evolving issue.
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Aviat Space Envir Md · Oct 2002
The relative risk of decompression sickness during and after air travel following diving.
Decompression sickness (DCS) can be provoked by post-dive flying but few data exist to quantify the risk of different post-dive, preflight surface intervals (PFSI). ⋯ Odds ratios approximate relative risk in rare diseases such as DCS. This study demonstrated an increase in relative risk from flying after diving following shorter PFSIs and/or greater dive depths on the last day. The relative risk increases geometrically as the PFSI becomes smaller.