Aortic valve replacement in a United States Air Force pilot: case report and literature review

We report the first case of a United States Air Force pilot returned to flying status after cardiac valve replacement. A 34-yr-old C-130 pilot underwent placement of an aortic valve homograft as a result of an episode of acute bacterial endocarditis on a bicuspid aortic valve. After a period of observation and a careful evaluation, he was returned to flying status in low-G aircraft. While cardiac valve replacement has traditionally been considered disqualifying for military aviation duties, aortic valve homografts have been associated with a lower morbidity and a significantly improved prognosis when compared to the other types of prosthetic heart valves. With careful evaluation and close follow-up, military aviators with aortic valve homografts can be considered for return to flying duties in low-G aircraft.