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Is there a hypercoagulable state in military fighter pilots?
Aviation, Space, and Environmental Medicine
|June 1, 1996
Summary
Jet pilots exhibit a hypercoagulable state post-flight, indicating increased blood coagulation. This finding suggests flight activity may contribute to cardiovascular risks in aviators.
Area of Science:
- Aerospace Medicine
- Cardiovascular Physiology
- Hematology
Background:
- Hypercoagulable states are linked to higher cardiovascular disease incidence.
- Cardiovascular disease is a primary reason for grounding flying personnel.
Purpose of the Study:
- To determine if jet pilots have a hypercoagulable state.
- To investigate if flight activity induces this hypercoagulable state.
Main Methods:
- Assessed Fibrinopeptide A (FPA), Thrombin-Antithrombin complexes (TAT), and D-Dimer (DD) in jet pilots and a control group.
- Evaluated 10 jet pilots post-flight and 6 jet pilots pre- and post-flight.
Main Results:
- Jet pilots showed increased thrombin and plasmin activity compared to controls.
- Thrombin and plasmin activity also increased in pilots evaluated after flight.
Conclusions:
- Flight activity induces a hypercoagulable state in jet pilots.
- Potential mechanisms include psycho-physical stress, neuroendocrine responses, or chronic +Gz exposure effects.