Military jet pilots have higher p-wave dispersions compared to the transport aircraft aircrew

Abstract

Objectives: For the purpose of flight safety military aircrew must be healthy. P-wave dispersion (PWD) is the p-wave length difference in an electrocardiographic (ECG) examination and represents the risk of developing atrial fibrillation. In the study we aimed at investigating PWD in healthy military aircrew who reported for periodical examinations. Material and Methods: Seventy-five asymptomatic military aircrew were enrolled in the study. All the subjects underwent physical, radiologic and biochemical examinations, and a 12-lead electrocardiography. P-wave dispersions were calculated. Results: The mean age of the study participants was 36.15±8.97 years and the mean p-wave duration was 100.8±12 ms in the whole group. Forty-seven subjects were non-pilot aircrew, and 28 were pilots. Thirteen study subjects were serving in jets, 49 in helicopters, and 13 were transport aircraft pilots. Thirty-six of the helicopter and 11 of the transport aircraft aircrew were non-pilot aircrew. P-wave dispersion was the lowest in the transport aircraft aircrew, and the highest in jet pilots. P-wave dispersions were similar in the pilots and non-pilot aircrew. Twenty-three study subjects were overweight, 19 had thyroiditis, 26 had hepatosteatosis, 4 had hyperbilirubinemia, 2 had hypertension, and 5 had hyperlipidemia. The PWD was significantly associated with thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) levels. Serum uric acid levels were associated with p-wave durations. Serum TSH levels were the most important predictor of PWD. Conclusions: When TSH levels were associated with PWD, uric acid levels were associated with p-wave duration in the military aircrew. The jet pilots had higher PWDs. These findings reveal that military jet pilots may have a higher risk of developing atrial fibrillation, and PWD should be recorded during periodical examinations. MATERIAL AND METHODS SubjectsThe study was conducted in a secondary military referral health center. Our hospital is also a center for the yearly and 5-year periodical examinations of military aircrew. A total of 75 military aircrew, all of whom were male, reporting for 5-year periodical examinations were enrolled in the study. Military non-pilot aircrew are people helping with search-rescue jobs, transporting objects, carrying goods needed for the flight, etc., who fly with pilots together in helicopters and in transport aircrafts. Physical examination, blood pressure (BP) and anthropometric measurements were performed as part of the 5-year periodical examinations. The examinations also included obtaining information on the type of the aircraft they serve in, their tasks, drug history, smoking, alcohol usage and past medical history. Complete blood count, renal and hepatic function tests, electrolytes, serum lipid levels, thyroid hormones, serum thyroid antibodies, electrocardiographic and echocardiographic examinations were also performed within the examinations. Exclusion criteria for the study participants were: refusal to participate in the study, smoking, uncontrolled hypertensi...

Maxillary sinus volumetric changes in jet aircraft pilots: A multislice computed tomography pilot study

“…Military aircraft pilots are exposed to a wide variety of occupational stressors, such as hypoxia, high altitudes, and sudden movements, 6 on multiple flights with major changes in the gravitational force (Gz). 7 High-performance jet aircraft produce high sustained Gzs with rapid onset rates.…”