Congenital heart disease (CHD) is the most prevalent congenital disorder. This is one of the most common causes of death derived from malformations. Historically, its treatment has depended on timely diagnosis and early pharmacological and surgical interventions. Survival rates for patients with this disease have increased, primarily due to advancements in therapeutic choices, but mortality remains high. Certain CHD conditions may manifest in individuals already engaged in aircrew duties. It is essential to be able to manage the risk assessment of CHD and to provide appropriate clinical and occupational counsel when deliberating about actual or potential aircrew duties. This study aimed to determine the epidemiological and clinical characteristics of Congenital Heart Disease (CHD) in aircrews. Another aim was to inform decision-making based on clinical risk, aircraft type and aeronautical function. This retrospective cross-sectional study was conducted at the aeromedical Expertise Centre of the Mohamed V Military Teaching Hospital in Rabat, Morocco, from 1 January 2022 to 31 December 2024, covering all aircrew members who were seen during the same period for both admission and review visits. Data were collected and analysed using Jamovi software (version 2.3.28). There were 10737 medical visits, including 6 cases of CHD. The prevalence was 0.55 per 1000 with a sex ratio of 1:1. The average age was 31.7, all civilians. There were 4 admission visits (66.7%), including one class 1 candidate and 3 class four candidates and two revisional visits for a captain and an air hostess. The clinical examination was normal. Electrocardiogram revealed repolarisation disorders in 50% of the individuals, particularly in the septo-apico-lateral and inferior territories.
Four had a Myocardial Bridge (MB) and two had an Atrial Septal
Defect (ASD) of the Ostium Secundum (OS) type. Four were declared fit (66.66%).
The two candidates declared unfit were the air hostess with a wide ASD of 15MM
with right heart répercussions and the candidate pilot on admission with MB
with a significant MILKING effect of distal LAD. Suitability decisions for
candidates with CHD are made on a case-by-case basis.
With continued advancements in diagnostics and therapeutics, the
number of adults with CHD is expected to rise. Consequently, further
longitudinal studies need to be conducted to monitor the interaction of these
conditions with the aviation environment and finally to harmonise fitness
decisions.
Author
(s) Details
Landing Souané
Aeromedical Expertise Center, Mohamed V Military Teaching Hospital, Rabat,
Morocco.
Zakaria Iloughmane
Aeromedical Expertise Center, Mohamed V Military Teaching Hospital, Rabat,
Morocco.
Meryem Zerrik
Aeromedical Expertise Center, Mohamed V Military Teaching Hospital, Rabat,
Morocco.
Mouna El Ghazi
Aeromedical Expertise Center, Mohamed V Military Teaching Hospital, Rabat,
Morocco.
Fahd Bennani Smires
Aeromedical Expertise Center, Mohamed V Military Teaching Hospital, Rabat,
Morocco.
El Khalifa Sidi
Mohamed
Aeromedical Expertise Center, Mohamed V Military Teaching Hospital, Rabat,
Morocco.
Khadidiatou Faye
Aeromedical Expertise Center, Mohamed V Military Teaching Hospital, Rabat,
Morocco.
Fatima Zohra Tlemcani
Aeromedical Expertise Center, Mohamed V Military Teaching Hospital, Rabat,
Morocco.
Maktit Safaa
Aeromedical Expertise Center, Mohamed V Military Teaching Hospital, Rabat,
Morocco.
Isouphou Hamidou
Adarka
Aeromedical Expertise Center, Mohamed V Military Teaching Hospital, Rabat,
Morocco.
Houda Echchachoui
Aeromedical Expertise Center, Mohamed V Military Teaching Hospital, Rabat,
Morocco.
Mohamed Chemsi
Aeromedical Expertise Center, Mohamed V Military Teaching Hospital, Rabat,
Morocco.
Please see the book here:- https://doi.org/10.9734/bpi/msraa/v3/5350
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