Retrospective Study
Copyright ©The Author(s) 2024.
World J Cardiol. Sep 26, 2024; 16(9): 522-530
Published online Sep 26, 2024. doi: 10.4330/wjc.v16.i9.522
Table 1 Aircraft type, battle station and age distribution of 15 flying personnel with abnormal results of coronary artery computed tomographic angiography
Aircraft type (aviation duty)
n
Proportion (%)
Age (year)
Median age (year)
Flying time (hour)
PilotFighter16.74040.01800
Fighter plane (Bomber)16.74747.03000
Bomber16.74949.03200
Transport plane213.348-5551.5 ± 4.95000-5600
Primary trainer16.74949.03000
Helicopter320.048-5150.0 ± 1.72600-3100
Navigator16.75050.04000
Air combat service worker533.342-5652.0 ± 5.82100-5000
Table 2 Comparison of age, flying time and flying duties between the two groups of aircrew
Group
n
Pilot, n (%)
Age (year)
Flying time (hour)
Single vessel disease group61 (16.7)49.0 ± 4.93850 ± 1282.7
Multi-vessel disease group98 (88.9)48.5 ± 4.73750 ± 1125.1
Statistical value0.1990.160
P value0.0110.8450.876
Table 3 Results of laboratory tests between two groups
Group
n
Systolic blood pressure (mmHg)
Diastolic pressure (mmHg)
TC (mmol/L)
TG (mmol/L)
LDL-C (mmol/L)
ApoB (g/L)
Sum of IMT (mm)
Number of carotid plaques (%)
Single vessel disease group6134.5 ± 14.684.1± 9.44.3 ± 1.41.3 ± 0.63.0 ± 1.30.9 ± 0.44.3± 0.22 (33.3)
Multi-vessel disease group9122.5 ± 10.078.2± 9.55.9 ± 3.51.6± 0.34.2 ± 3.41.3± 0.74.0± 0.62 (22.2)
Table 4 Electrocardiogram, coronary artery computed tomographic angiography and flying appraisal conclusion of 15 aircrew with coronary artery diseases
Case
ECG
Coronary artery CTA
Coronary angiography
Flying appraisal conclusion
1Biphase or low-flat T-wave in leads V4-V6Small calcified plaques in the middle segment of both RCA and the posterior branch of left ventricle, without stenosis of the lumen, calcified plaques in the proximal segment of RCA, with slight stenosis of the corresponding lumen, and calcified plaques in the middle segment of LAD, with mild stenosis of the corresponding lumenQualified
2NormalCalcified plaques in the proximal segment of RCA, with slight stenosis of the corresponding lumen, and calcified plaques in the middle segment of LAD, with slight stenosis of the corresponding lumenQualified
3Low-flat T-wave in leads V5 and V6Soft plaques in the proximal segment of RCA, with local mild stenosis of the lumen, mixed plaques in the proximal segment of LAD, with local mild stenosis of the lumen, and calcified plaques in the proximal segment of LCX, with local mild stenosis of the lumenSuggested to undergo coronary angiographyUnqualified for specially permitted flying of overage pilots
4NormalCalcified plaques in the middle segment of LAD, with mild stenosis of the lumen, superficial myocardial bridge formation in its distal segment, and calcified plaques in the proximal and middle segments of D1 and D2, with mild stenosis of the lumenLAD: Myocardial bridge in the middle segment, with stenosis of 40%-50% in systole, TIMI3. LCX: Stenosis of 40% of the junction between the proximal and distal segments, TIMI3. RCA: Slight stenosis of the middle segment, with rough wall, indicating the changes of arteriosclerosis, TIMI3Qualified
5NormalSoft plaques in the proximal segment of RCA, with mild stenosis of the corresponding lumen, soft plaques in the proximal segments of LAD, with mild stenosis of the corresponding lumen, and calcified plaques in the middle segment of LAD, with moderate stenosis of the corresponding lumen, and soft plaques in the proximal segments of LCX, with mild stenosis of the corresponding lumenSuggested to undergo coronary angiographyQualified
6 Abnormal q wave in side wall(1) Calcified plaques in the proximal and middle segments of LAD, with local moderate stenosis (50%-70%) and distal myocardial bridge; (2) Severe stenosis of intermediate branch and mild stenosis in the proximal segment of circumflex branch (30%); (3) Mild stenosis of RCA (< 50%)LM: No abnormalities. LAD: Continuous calcification in the proximal and middle segments, with the most severe stenosis above 85%, TIMI3, a FFR value of 0.59 (normal FFR > 0.75). LCX: Thick high OM, with CTO after originating from the proximal segment, and the distal segment supplied with blood through the collateral branch. RCA: Stenosis of about 50% of the proximal lumen after opening, TIMI3Temporarily unqualified for flying
7T wave changes in leads II, III, avF and V3-6Mixed plaques in the first diagonal branch of the anterior descending branch, with slight stenosis of the lumenQualified
8Sinus bradycardiaSoft plaques in the proximal segment of RCA, with mild stenosis of the lumenQualified
9Low-flat T wave in leads V5 and V6Calcified plaques in the proximal segment of LAD, with slight stenosis of the corresponding lumen (< 25%)Qualified
10Low-flat T wave in leads V4-6Superficial myocardial bridge formed in the middle segment of LAD, with slight stenosis of the lumen (20%)Qualified
11Low-flat T wave in leads V4-6Local mild and moderate stenosis of the proximal segment of LAD, with possibility of soft plaque formationQualified
12Low-flat or inverted T wave in leads II, III and avFHigh-density calcified plaques in the proximal segment of LAD, with mild stenosis of the lumenQualified
13Grade I atrioventricular block and left ventricular hypertrophy accompanied with mild strainChest CT showed calcified plaques in coronary artery. Coronary artery CTA suggested calcified plaques in the middle segment of LAD, with slight stenosis of the lumen. Small calcified plaques in D2 segment, with slight stenosis of the lumen, and small calcified plaques in middle and distal segments of LCX, with slight stenosis of the lumenLAD: Stenosis of 50%, TIMI3, FFR 0.91. LM(-), LCX(-) and RCA: Abnormally thick lumen, TIMI3Unqualified for specially permitted flying of overage pilots
14NormalChest CT showed multiple calcified plaques in coronary artery. Coronary artery CTA indicated mixed plaques in the proximal segment, calcified plaques in the middle and soft plaques in the distal segment of RCA, with mild to moderate stenosis of the lumen. Mixed plaques in LM, with mild stenosis of the lumen. Mixed plaques in the proximal and middle segments of LAD, with mild to moderate stenosis of the lumen. Mixed plaques in the proximal segment of LCX, with mild stenosis of the lumen. Mixed plaques in the proximal and middle segments of OM, with mild to moderate stenosis of the lumenLM(-): Presence of IB, with stenosis of 60% in IB opening. LAD: Calcification shadow in the proximal segment, stenosis of 30%-40% in the proximal and middle segments, myocardial bridge in the middle segment, with stenosis in systole, TIMI3. LCX(-) and OM: Thick. OM2: Beaded stenosis of 50%-80% in the proximal and middle segments, TIMI3, FFR 0.78. RCA: Stenosis of about 50% in the proximal and middle segments, focal stenosis of 50% in the middle segment, stenosis of 40%-50% in the middle and distal segments, eccentric stenosis of 80% in the distal segment, presence of PDA and PL, TIMI3, FFR 0.77Unqualified for specially permitted flying of overage pilots
15Sinus bradycardia with low-flat T wave (V5V6)Coronary artery calcification score: 229 points. Coronary artery CTA showed calcified plaques in the proximal and middle segments of RCA, with mild stenosis of the lumen, soft plaques in the proximal segment of LAD, with mild stenosis of the lumen, superficial myocardial bridge in the middle and distal segments, without stenosis of the lumen, calcification at the proximal end of D1, without stenosis of the lumenLM(-) and LAD: Stenosis of 50% in the proximal segment, myocardial bridge in the middle and distal segments, stenosis of about 20% in systole, stenosis of about 30% of D1 opening, TIMI3. LCX: Presence of high OM originating the proximal segment, tiny PL in the distal segment, TIMI3. RCA: Thick lumen, and two focal plaques in the middle and distal segments, with stenosis of 30%, thick PDA and PL, with TIMI3Unqualified for specially permitted flying of overage pilots