Asymptomatic congenital complete heart block in an Army Air Force pilot

Turner, Louis B.

doi:10.1016/0002-8703(47)90493-6

Cited by 17 publications

(2 citation statements)

References 10 publications

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“…These were, however, normal in 6 of the 7 cases reported by Campbell and Thorne (1956). Turner (1947) reported asymptomatic congenital complete heart block in a trained pilot which was identified after three years service, when he was referred because of bradycardia discovered during a routine physical examination. It was under similar circumstances that the present case was discovered.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Complete Heart Block in an Experienced Pilot

Mathewson¹,

Harvie²

1957

Heart

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The purpose of this communication is to report the finding of complete heart block, probably of congenital origin, in an experienced pilot. A normal G tolerance, a normal response to both strenuous exercise and anoxia, together with a lack of referable symptoms while in the air indicated his capacity to perform flying duties efficiently within the limits to which he was exposed.In 1945, an apparently healthy flying instructor, aged 23, was referred for special investigation because of bradycardia and an apical systolic murmur found at the time of his annual aircrew medical examination. Apart from admitting some recent lack of energy he had been in good health since entering the service. He was one of three normal children, born of healthy Canadian parents. He had been active in sport, and had fainted but once, following an injury. His tonsils and adenoids had been removed for nasal obstruction when he was 8 years old. He had not been subject to sore throats and there was no history suggestive of rheumatic fever. His mother first became aware of his slow pulse when he was 10 years old. In 1941, at the age of 19, he was passed medically fit for aircrew duties with the Royal Canadian Air Force. Before this, he had worked for a short period in an explosives factory, blending cordite.Early in his airforce career, he was a member of an experimental group used in a study of the cardiovascular response to strenuous exercise. Because of his slow pulse and freedom from distress after exercise he was thought to possess better than average physical fitness. He had flown a total of 1850 hours, of which 350 hours were logged in the past twelve months. He had never blacked out, although his vision became dimmed on rare occasions when performing tight manceuvres. The heart rates documented during his four years of service varied from 46 to 56 beats a minute.No heart murmurs were reported.Physical examination showed a healthy well-built young man-height 66 inches, weight 139 pounds, pulse rate 48 beats a minute, blood pressure 130/68 mm. Hg. There was a faint systolic murmur at the apex transmitted to the midline which was best heard in the left lateral position and varied with respiration. In the supine position, a pulmonary systolic murmur was also heard. The liver edge was just palpable. Physical examination was otherwise normal. Blood sedimentation rate 7 mm. (Westergren). The heart was normal in size and contour by X-ray. The electrocardiogram showed complete heart block and was substantially the same as one taken ten years later (Fig. 3). Because of the early age at which bradycardia was recognized, the relatively rapid ventricular rate (Campbell, 1943) and the absence of other cause, it was concluded that his heart block was probably of congenital origin.Further cardiograms were recorded with the pilot in various positions, after exercise and following the subcutaneous injection of atropine sulphate, 1/50th of a grain. In no instance did the ventricular rate exceed 60 beats a minute while the atrial rate, 83 at rest, rose...

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Complete Heart Block in an Experienced Pilot

Mathewson¹,

Harvie²

1957

Heart

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“…Fisch (5) and Cambell (2) described veterans of World War II with CCHB who carried out all of their duties in wartime. One case has been reported of an army air force pilot who flew at high altitudes with no complications (31). Transitory complete heart block was described in a young boxer during vigorous exercise (35).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Complete Heart Block and Physical Performance

Hanne-Paparo¹,

Drory²,

Kellermann³

1983

Int J Sports Med

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Complete heart block (CCHB) is a very rare finding. The problems in such patients are: additional heart malformations, the appearance of Stokes-Adams or syncopal attacks, and the occurrence of different grades of ectopy. Most patients with CCHB without structural heart disease develop normally and can lead a normal life. If there are no Stokes-Adams attacks or high grades of ectopy at rest and exercise, they have a normal physical capacity and can perform strenuous work and sports. Increased stroke volume, cardiac enlargement, and extraction of very large amounts of oxygen from the blood were found to be compensatory mechanisms of adaptation. Some authors have discussed the possible role of training in this adaptation.

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Die Rhythmusstörungen des Herzens (einschließlich der intramuralen Leitungsstörungen und des Alternans)

Holzmann¹

1960

Rhythmus- Und Leitungsstörungen Traumatische Herzschädigungen Erkrankungen Des Endokard · Myokard · Perikard · Spezielle Kardio

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Asymptomatic congenital complete heart block in an Army Air Force pilot

Cited by 17 publications

References 10 publications

Complete Heart Block in an Experienced Pilot

Complete Heart Block in an Experienced Pilot

Complete Heart Block and Physical Performance

Die Rhythmusstörungen des Herzens (einschließlich der intramuralen Leitungsstörungen und des Alternans)

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