Age and Aortic Diameters in Pilots

Abstract

Jet pilots had aortic enlargement as they became older in contrast to the NJP group. Although the aortic diameters were not within the critical ranges in the JP group, these results could suggest that flight-related stresses might result in acute aortic syndromes in the long term.

Acceleration‐induced acute type A aortic dissection in the sky: 10‐year follow‐up

“…These findings were supported by a recent study that demonstrated that a significant MAP increase was associated with a progressive rise in the +Gz 2 . A more recent study 5 reported a significant AR and AA dilatation in jet aircraft pilots compared with non–jet aircraft pilots. Besides, this study supported a previous report, which demonstrated that repeated strenuous activity in military veterans is associated with dilated AR and AA 6…”

Does altitude increase the risk of traumatic aortic injuries? A retrospective cohort study among six level I trauma centers in the United States

“…Harris et al found that non-Caucasian race was a risk factor for aortic dissection, similarly in this study, non-Caucasian race increased the risk for TAI [22]. Other studies have also shown associations between various sports activities and development of TAI [7][8][9][10][11]. In this study the cause of injury was a significant confounder for the association between TAI and altitude, among the patients with a TAI only those at high altitudes had sports injuries as the cause of injury.…”

“…Schachner et al identified skiers at an increased risk for aortic injuries, which may be related to the fact that skiers are often performing at high altitudes [11]. Other studies have identified activities thought to increase the risk for TAI including professional sports, weight lifting, and military training [7][8][9]. One case study reported a TAI after a paragliding accident [10].…”

“…In non-traumatic cases, risk factors for spontaneous aortic injuries include: older age, smoking, prior aneurysms, congestive heart failure, hypertension, diabetes mellitus, atherosclerosis, history of cardiac surgery, congenital disorders, and inflammatory diseases [6]. Some activities such as professional sports, weight lifting, military training, skiing, and flying airplanes have been associated with both spontaneous aortic injuries and TAIs; altitude may play a role in the latter two activities [7][8][9][10][11]. Abnormally large aortic diameters have also been reported among pilots, which could be related to altitude [7].…”

“…Some activities such as professional sports, weight lifting, military training, skiing, and flying airplanes have been associated with both spontaneous aortic injuries and TAIs; altitude may play a role in the latter two activities [7][8][9][10][11]. Abnormally large aortic diameters have also been reported among pilots, which could be related to altitude [7]. High altitude has known physiological effects on the cardiovascular and respiratory systems including the following: increased heart rate, systemic hypertension, tachycardia, hypoxia, rising pulmonary vascular pressure, diminished inspiratory oxygen pressure, impairment in arterial oxygen transport, and augmented oxygen uptake [13][14][15].…”