Sudden incapacitation: occupational aviation medicine perspectives

Within the aviation environment, occupational medicine tends to focus on pilots, because of the very great effects pilot injury or illness can have on public safety. However, medical conditions of other aviation workers can also endanger public and personal safety. Sudden incapacitation an abrupt loss or impairment of consciousness, control, or performance is the most important occupational concern in aviation medicine. The authors discuss the neurologic causes of sudden incapacitation and syncope, and evaluate the risks of returning affected pilots to duty. Also offered is a Controversy (Single Seizure: To Treat or Not To Treat).