Be especially
pilot had to prove to the FAA that the
stress test was falsely positive, so they
performed a cardiac catheterization,
where a tube is inserted through the
groin up to the heart and dye is inject-
ed to give the cardiologist a clear image
of the coronary arteries. As suspected,
in an otherwise healthy aviator with-
out risk factors for disease, the arteries
were pristine without blockages. The
stress test was proven to be falsely pos-
itive. Upon withdrawing the catheter,
however, one of the coronary arteries
was sliced open, resulting in the need
for emergency open heart surgery. We
were eventually able to get the airman
returned to flying, but it was certainly
a traumatic experience just to have the
“executive physical.”
Applying the understanding that
screening is not without risk and should only be done when
clinically indicated, what should you do to screen for aneu-
rysms? The U.S. Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF), a
non-biased group established to review the available scientific
evidence for medical screening, recommends against routine
screening for AAA in women. For men aged 65-75 who have
never smoked, the USPSTF recommendation was neutral. For
male smokers aged 65-75, a one-time ultrasound screening
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Dr. Phil Parker (WAI #29733) is the Director of Clinical Services
for the Aviation Medicine Advisory Service. Dr. Parker is Board
Certified in Aerospace & Occupation Medicine and is a private
pilot. Additional information on these topics and others can be
found at www.AviationMedicine.com.
cautious of groups
with obvious financial
incentive who are
offering screenings
especially when
those screenings do
not require a referral
from your personal
provider.
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