In-flight medical events increasingly frequent
Medical events experienced by air passengers becoming increasingly frequent
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Thursday, 19, Feb 2009 12:59
Medical events experienced by air passengers are becoming increasingly frequent, new research claims.
A report published in the Lancet today suggests numbers are rising because a growing number of individuals with pre-existing medicals conditions are now flying, and new aircraft such as the Airbus A380 are capable of extending flight times.
As a result, an increasing number of travellers with various underlying medical conditions could experience environmental and physiological changes associated with flying, the authors state.
Many passengers with pre-existing cardiac, pulmonary and blood conditions have a reduced arterial oxygen partial pressure, so reduced cabin pressure leads to further reduction of oxygen saturation in the blood, which decreases further with increasing flight times. And the decreased oxygen saturation can exacerbate medical conditions.
Flying is associated with a range of medical conditions, most well-known is venous thromboembolism – shown to most prominent in flights over eight hours.
Jet lag and the spread of infectious diseases are also commonly experienced by passengers travelling by air.
The authors of today's report claim many in-flight medical events arise aboard commercial airlines and most are minor. Cardiac, neurological and respiratory complaints are the most serious events experienced, with cardiac and neurological complaints accounting for most diversions.
Research shows passengers over 70 have the highest rate of in-flight medical events, but the mean age of passengers with an in-flight medical event is 44 years for men and 49 years for women.
Airlines have previously issued guidance relating to fitness levels required to travel and passengers have been told they should be able to walk a distance of 50m and climb one flight of stairs without angina or severe shortness of breath.
Today's report concludes by stating cabin air quality remains an issue, and claims further research into the effect of vaporised organic compounds, such as tricresyl phosphate, that have led to reported cases of crew and passenger incapacitation, are needed.
The authors state: "The molecular basis for circadian-rhythm disorders has been recently clarified and future clinical application might lead to new treatments for jet lag. The risk that commercial aircrafts are vehicles of influenza pandemic spread is real and opportunities exist to keep the risk to a minimum.
"In the modern travel era, clear understanding of the medical consequences of commercial flights has become increasingly important. Individuals need to be aware of the possible medical complications of air travel, and physicians should identify people at potential risk from air travel and advise them of any necessary treatments to travel safely."
In response to the report, the British Heart Foundation (BHF) released a statement claiming the risk of traveling by air is in fact low for most patients with heart complications.
"This study does not change current thinking. For most people with a heart condition, the likelihood of having problems whilst flying is very low," Judy O’Sullivan, from the BHF, said.
"However, heart patients thinking about travelling this summer should always seek advice from their GP or cardiologist before booking a flight.
"It is not recommended that everybody should take an aspirin before going on a flight, but anyone who takes aspirin regularly on prescription should continue to take this as directed by their doctor.
"You can take simple measures to reduce your risk of developing a blood clot whilst flying, including walking regularly in the aisles or moving your feet about when you are sitting, avoiding alcohol and drinking plenty of water."