Aviat Space Envir Md
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Aviat Space Envir Md · Aug 1999
ReviewThe non-invasive assessment of stroke volume and cardiac output by impedance cardiography: a review.
Impedance cardiography (IC) is an inexpensive, reliable and noninvasive technique for determining stroke volume (SV) and cardiac output (CO). It relies on the measurement of phasic changes in transthoracic electrical resistivity, related to ejection of blood into the ascending aorta with each heart beat. Because of its non-invasive nature, IC is becoming increasingly used in clinical settings, as well as in many areas of physiological research. ⋯ The question of accuracy of IC in terms of absolute values of SV and CO remains to be determined. The methodological limitations, accuracy, reliability and reproducibility of IC are examined, as are some of the methods developed to improve these aspects of the technique. The application and utility of IC in aerospace medicine research is also addressed.
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Aviat Space Envir Md · Jul 1999
Case ReportsLow-altitude overflights of fighters and the risk of hearing loss.
Much data are available on noise properties which cause hearing loss. There are not, however, reports on the effects of low-altitude overflight noise on the permanent threshold shift (PTS). ⋯ According to these results and the principles of noise evaluation, there should be no risk of permanent hearing loss when the distance to an overflying jet fighter is more than 200 m. However, we have received two claims, and the audiometric analyses of two subjects who had suffered hearing loss in one ear in Finland during the 1990s may indicate that there is very likely a connection between the incidents and the hearing losses.
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Aviat Space Envir Md · Jul 1999
Comparative StudyReport of ejections in the Spanish Air Force, 1979-1995: an epidemiological and comparative study.
Ejection seats have saved many lives with more than 80% of pilots having survived an ejection. Nevertheless, ejection injuries are seen in all modern air forces. ⋯ The pilot position in the ejection seat, plane control, ejection inside the envelope, the pilot's training in how to assume the necessary body position at both egress and landing phases are determining factors for successful ejections.
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Aviat Space Envir Md · Jul 1999
Case ReportsCerebral arterial gas embolism in air force ground maintenance crew--a report of two cases.
Two cases of cerebral arterial gas embolism (CAGE) occurred after a decompression incident involving five maintenance crew during a cabin leakage system test of a Hercules C-130 aircraft. During the incident, the cabin pressure increased to 8 in Hg (203.2 mm Hg, 27 kPa) above atmospheric pressure causing intense pain in the ears of all the crew inside. The system was rapidly depressurized to ground level. ⋯ The second case was lost to follow-up. Decompression illness (DCI) generally occurs in occupational groups such as compressed air workers, divers, aviators, and astronauts. This is believed to be the first report of DCI occurring among aircraft's ground maintenance crew.
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The American College of Preventive Medicine (ACPM), with sponsorship from the Health Resources Administration (HRSA), has published core competencies that are common to all preventive medicine residencies-aerospace medicine (ASM), occupational medicine (OM), and general preventive medicine/public health (GPM/PH). Further development of specialty area competencies for ASM residents was addressed by a working group comprised of representatives from each of the four ASM residency programs. ⋯ The ASM resident competencies identify the capabilities of graduating ASM residents as distinct from OM and GPM/PH residents. At the same time, they are broad enough to permit specific areas of emphasis (e.g., military, civil, or space) to be pursued within the various ASM residencies. This represents the first successful attempt to draft a consolidated statement of educational objectives that has universal acceptance and applicability across all U.S. aerospace medicine residencies.