Pilots with Vasovagal Syncope: Fit to Fly?
Van Dijk N, Colman N, Dambrink JHA, Wieling W. Pilots with vasovagal syncope: fit to fly? Aviat Space Environ Med 2003; 74:571–4.
Two pilots who had experienced vasovagal syncope were grounded by the aeromedical service. Pilot A had experienced three episodes of syncope in medical settings, none during flight. Pilot B had experienced four episodes of syncope in emotional/medical settings, one during flight. Whether a pilot who experienced one or more episodes of vasovagal syncope is declared fit to fly now depends on the number of episodes experienced. We propose that pilots should be assessed individually. Certainty of the diagnosis of vasovagal syncope, the chance and predictability of recurrences during flight, and the possibility of effective therapy should be assessed. Chance of recurrence during flight is low when the triggering factor is known and avoidable. Pilots with syncopal episodes in predictable (e.g., medical) situations, with clear prodromal symptoms and/or effective therapy, should be declared fit to fly. A symptom-free period and/or restriction to fly ‘as or with a co-pilot’ can be considered.
Two pilots who had experienced vasovagal syncope were grounded by the aeromedical service. Pilot A had experienced three episodes of syncope in medical settings, none during flight. Pilot B had experienced four episodes of syncope in emotional/medical settings, one during flight. Whether a pilot who experienced one or more episodes of vasovagal syncope is declared fit to fly now depends on the number of episodes experienced. We propose that pilots should be assessed individually. Certainty of the diagnosis of vasovagal syncope, the chance and predictability of recurrences during flight, and the possibility of effective therapy should be assessed. Chance of recurrence during flight is low when the triggering factor is known and avoidable. Pilots with syncopal episodes in predictable (e.g., medical) situations, with clear prodromal symptoms and/or effective therapy, should be declared fit to fly. A symptom-free period and/or restriction to fly ‘as or with a co-pilot’ can be considered.
Keywords: aircrew licensing; aviation; blood-injury-illness-phobia; syncope; vasovagal
Document Type: Research Article
Publication date: 01 May 2003
- The peer-reviewed monthly journal, Aviation, Space, and Environmental Medicine (ASEM) provides contact with physicians, life scientists, bioengineers, and medical specialists working in both basic medical research and in its clinical applications. It is the most used and cited journal in its field. ASEM is distributed to more than 80 nations.
To access volumes 86 to present, please click here. - Information for Authors
- Submit a Paper
- Subscribe to this Title
- Membership Information
- Information for Advertisers
- Submit Articles
- Ingenta Connect is not responsible for the content or availability of external websites
- Access Key
- Free content
- Partial Free content
- New content
- Open access content
- Partial Open access content
- Subscribed content
- Partial Subscribed content
- Free trial content