My Flight Surgeon
Sr. Aviation Medical Examiner
This is a question I received recently. It may be opf interest to those who have this problem and want to know if they can fly and for those who may end up with an AICD implanted in them.
I would like to become an airline pilot. I am worried about being disqualified from medical certification. I had an ICD implanted because one EKG preformed during rigorous exercise showed up as "borderline prolonged QT interval". A Holter monitor was given to me to wear for 24 hours, but recorded only healthy heart activity. I have never had any symptoms of prolonged QT syndrome. The doctors encouraged me to put an ICD in as a precaution. I was told that it would not restrict my life! I have had this ICD for six years monitoring my heart, without a single sign of any heart problem. Would having had an ICD implanted, without a clear diagnosis of a heart problem, disqualify me from receiving a medical certificate to become an airline pilot?
This will require a Special Issuance. As of May 2005, the FAA has reduced the wait period to 3 years while still requiring case-by-case approval for these devices known as AICD/ICD or Automatic Implantable Cardiac Defibrillator. Those making application must provide a comprehensive cardiovascular evaluation which complies with FAA criteria. Generally speaking, favorable consideration requires that the device be present in a preventive capacity only, that it has NEVER fired and that it was installed at least 3 years before the medical application process.
I would suggest you start that procedure since it will take several months for the first one. They will probably send it to the cardiology consultant. You can contact the Regional Flight Surgeon (http://www.faa.gov/licenses_certificates/medical_certification/rfs/) if your AME does not have the requirements needed. You will have to get copies of all of your medical records including the operative report from when it was implanted and copies of the holter monitor or event monitor strips(not just the reports) as well as copies of all EKG's and any EP (electrophysiology) studies performed. A letter from the cardiologist within the past 90 days summarizing your history and stating you have not had an event and this was FOR PREVENTION will be necessary. You will probably need to submit a First Class medical at the same time since you want to fly for a living and the Special Issuance will be based on the class of medical applied for.
I would like to become an airline pilot. I am worried about being disqualified from medical certification. I had an ICD implanted because one EKG preformed during rigorous exercise showed up as "borderline prolonged QT interval". A Holter monitor was given to me to wear for 24 hours, but recorded only healthy heart activity. I have never had any symptoms of prolonged QT syndrome. The doctors encouraged me to put an ICD in as a precaution. I was told that it would not restrict my life! I have had this ICD for six years monitoring my heart, without a single sign of any heart problem. Would having had an ICD implanted, without a clear diagnosis of a heart problem, disqualify me from receiving a medical certificate to become an airline pilot?
This will require a Special Issuance. As of May 2005, the FAA has reduced the wait period to 3 years while still requiring case-by-case approval for these devices known as AICD/ICD or Automatic Implantable Cardiac Defibrillator. Those making application must provide a comprehensive cardiovascular evaluation which complies with FAA criteria. Generally speaking, favorable consideration requires that the device be present in a preventive capacity only, that it has NEVER fired and that it was installed at least 3 years before the medical application process.
I would suggest you start that procedure since it will take several months for the first one. They will probably send it to the cardiology consultant. You can contact the Regional Flight Surgeon (http://www.faa.gov/licenses_certificates/medical_certification/rfs/) if your AME does not have the requirements needed. You will have to get copies of all of your medical records including the operative report from when it was implanted and copies of the holter monitor or event monitor strips(not just the reports) as well as copies of all EKG's and any EP (electrophysiology) studies performed. A letter from the cardiologist within the past 90 days summarizing your history and stating you have not had an event and this was FOR PREVENTION will be necessary. You will probably need to submit a First Class medical at the same time since you want to fly for a living and the Special Issuance will be based on the class of medical applied for.
tag or atleast a smiley in - I think the longest anyone survived on the Jarvik was 112 days, and they had to be plugged into the wall at all times. Abiomed are certainly making some interesting headway these days though, I believe their record is 17 months, and you can be away from the wall for 4 hours.