Navigating air travel and cardiovascular concerns: Is the sky the limit?

• Type of Material: Article
• Authors: Muhammad Hammadah, Emory University; Bryan R. Kindya, Emory University; S Jazbeh, University of Oklahoma; Danny Eapen, Emory University; WHW Tang, Cleveland Clinic; Laurence Sperling, Emory University; Marc P. Allard-Ratick, Emory University
• Language: English
• Date: 2017-09-01
• Publisher: Wiley Open Access: Various Creative Commons Licenses
• Publication Version: Final Published Version
• Copyright Statement: © 2017 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
• Final Published Version (URL): http://dx.doi.org/10.1002/clc.22741
• Title of Journal or Parent Work: Clinical Cardiology
• ISSN: 0160-9289
• Volume: 40
• Issue: 9
• Start Page: 660
• End Page: 666
• Keywords: DISEASE; ICD; Implantable Cardioverter-Defibrillator; MEDICAL EMERGENCIES; Cardiovascular System & Cardiology; Life Sciences & Biomedicine; HIGH-ALTITUDE; AEROMEDICAL TRANSPORT; Science & Technology; Pacemaker; METAL DETECTORS; Left Ventricular Assist Device; Heart Failure; ACUTE EXPOSURE; Air Travel; Heart Disease; Cardiac & Cardiovascular Systems; MYOCARDIAL-INFARCTION; LVAD; Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension; Coronary Artery Disease; PATIENT; SAFETY; IN-FLIGHT EMERGENCIES
• Research Categories: Health Sciences, Radiology; Health Sciences, Medicine and Surgery

Abstract

As the population ages and our ability to care for patients with cardiac disease improves, an increasing number of passengers with cardiovascular conditions will be traveling long distances. Many have had cardiac symptoms, recent interventions, devices, or surgery. Air travel is safe for most individuals with stable cardiovascular disease. However, a thorough understanding of the physiologic changes during air travel is essential given the potential impact on cardiovascular health and the risk of complications in passengers with preexisting cardiac conditions. It is important for clinicians to be aware of the current recommendations and precautions that need to be taken before and during air travel for passengers with cardiovascular concerns.