Ultrosound assessment of the thoracic and abdominal aorta in civil aviation pilots of senior age group

Introduction. Early detection of subclinical atherosclerosis in different arterial vessels, including the main vessel aorta, is important for clinical practice and aeromedical assessment, especially in senior age people. Objective: to evaluate condition of the thoracic and abdominal aorta in civil aviation pilots of senior age group according to ultrasonography.

Material. 1189 civil aviation pilots aged 54-68 yrs who underwent routine in-patient examination at the Central Clinical Hospital of Civil Aviation on a regular basis were examined. The average age - 56,75 ± 0,07 years. Methods: ultrasound screening examination was performed for early diagnosis of aortic atherosclerosis.

Results. Only 4,7% of civil aviation senior age pilots have not changes in the abdominal and thoracic aorta. The majority of the examined have atherosclerotic lesions of the aortic wall, which was more often in thoracic (93,8%), then in abdominal (22,1%) aorta. However, changes in the abdominal aorta were more significant for the clinical and medical assessment. There were signs of unstable atherosclerotic plaque in the abdominal aorta in two cases (0,2%). Abdominal aortic aneurysm was first diagnosed in two pilots (0,2%). Atherosclerotic aortic defect (stenosis and insufficiency) was identified in one 59-year-old pilot (0,1%).

Conclusion. Five pilots were unfit (0,5%) and 44 pilots were needed in thorough further follow-up observation due to identified changes (dilatation of the thoracic aorta - 31 pilots and abdominal aorta - two pilots, atherosclerotic plaques in the abdominal aorta - 11 pilots). According this data screening evaluation for detection of atherosclerosis as in the thoracic aorta, as in the abdominal aorta is useful for pilots of senior age group.

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