Characteristics of United States military pilots with atrial fibrillation and deployment and retention rates
Abstract Introduction Atrial fibrillation (AF) is an arrhythmia that impacts deployment and retention rates for United States military pilots. This study aims to characterize United States active duty (AD) pilots with AF and review deployment and retention rates associated with medical and ablative...
| Main Authors: | , , , , |
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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BMC
2022-03-01
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| Series: | BMC Cardiovascular Disorders |
| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | https://doi.org/10.1186/s12872-022-02542-8 |
| _version_ | 1818319583562432512 |
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| author | Andrea N. Keithler Andrew S. Wilson Alexander Yuan Jose M. Sosa Kelvin N. V. Bush |
| author_facet | Andrea N. Keithler Andrew S. Wilson Alexander Yuan Jose M. Sosa Kelvin N. V. Bush |
| author_sort | Andrea N. Keithler |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Abstract Introduction Atrial fibrillation (AF) is an arrhythmia that impacts deployment and retention rates for United States military pilots. This study aims to characterize United States active duty (AD) pilots with AF and review deployment and retention rates associated with medical and ablative therapies. Methods An observational analysis was performed to assess AD pilots diagnosed with AF in the largest military regional healthcare system from 2004 to 2019. Baseline characteristics and AF management were reviewed. Results 27 AD pilots (mean age, 37.3 ± 7.9 years; mean BMI, 27.3 ± 3.1 kg/m2; 100% male sex) were diagnosed with AF during the study dates. 17 (63%) were Air Force branch pilots with hypertension as the most common risk factor (26%). There were overall low CHA2DS2-VASc scores (mean 0.29 ± 0.47). 22 (82%) pilots were equally treated with medical rate and rhythm strategies (41% and 41%, respectively). 16 (59%) underwent pulmonary vein isolation (PVI) with zero complications. 11 (41%) pilots received warfarin and 5 (19%) received a direct oral anticoagulant for stroke prevention. After diagnosis, 12 (44%) pilots deployed and 25 (93%) were retained in military. PVI was not associated with a change in subsequent deployments rates (PVI, 38% vs no PVI, 55%; p = 0.3809) or retention rates (PVI, 94% vs no PVI, 91%; p = 0.7835). Conclusions United States military pilots diagnosed with AF are younger patients with few traditional AF risk factors and they receive medical rate and rhythm strategies equally. Many pilots maintain deployment eligibility and most remain on AD status after diagnosis. PVI is not associated with differences in retention or deployment rates. Further prospective study is needed to further evaluate these findings. |
| first_indexed | 2024-12-13T10:11:25Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-2a14b5b48b9e4186a6a2c870dece2953 |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 1471-2261 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-12-13T10:11:25Z |
| publishDate | 2022-03-01 |
| publisher | BMC |
| record_format | Article |
| series | BMC Cardiovascular Disorders |
| spelling | doaj.art-2a14b5b48b9e4186a6a2c870dece29532022-12-21T23:51:25ZengBMCBMC Cardiovascular Disorders1471-22612022-03-012211710.1186/s12872-022-02542-8Characteristics of United States military pilots with atrial fibrillation and deployment and retention ratesAndrea N. Keithler0Andrew S. Wilson1Alexander Yuan2Jose M. Sosa3Kelvin N. V. Bush4Division of Cardiology, Brooke Army Medical CenterDivision of Cardiology, Brooke Army Medical CenterDivision of Cardiology, Brooke Army Medical CenterDivision of Cardiology, Brooke Army Medical CenterDivision of Cardiology, Brooke Army Medical CenterAbstract Introduction Atrial fibrillation (AF) is an arrhythmia that impacts deployment and retention rates for United States military pilots. This study aims to characterize United States active duty (AD) pilots with AF and review deployment and retention rates associated with medical and ablative therapies. Methods An observational analysis was performed to assess AD pilots diagnosed with AF in the largest military regional healthcare system from 2004 to 2019. Baseline characteristics and AF management were reviewed. Results 27 AD pilots (mean age, 37.3 ± 7.9 years; mean BMI, 27.3 ± 3.1 kg/m2; 100% male sex) were diagnosed with AF during the study dates. 17 (63%) were Air Force branch pilots with hypertension as the most common risk factor (26%). There were overall low CHA2DS2-VASc scores (mean 0.29 ± 0.47). 22 (82%) pilots were equally treated with medical rate and rhythm strategies (41% and 41%, respectively). 16 (59%) underwent pulmonary vein isolation (PVI) with zero complications. 11 (41%) pilots received warfarin and 5 (19%) received a direct oral anticoagulant for stroke prevention. After diagnosis, 12 (44%) pilots deployed and 25 (93%) were retained in military. PVI was not associated with a change in subsequent deployments rates (PVI, 38% vs no PVI, 55%; p = 0.3809) or retention rates (PVI, 94% vs no PVI, 91%; p = 0.7835). Conclusions United States military pilots diagnosed with AF are younger patients with few traditional AF risk factors and they receive medical rate and rhythm strategies equally. Many pilots maintain deployment eligibility and most remain on AD status after diagnosis. PVI is not associated with differences in retention or deployment rates. Further prospective study is needed to further evaluate these findings. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12872-022-02542-8Atrial fibrillationArrhythmiaPilotsMilitaryAblationPulmonary vein isolation |
| spellingShingle | Andrea N. Keithler Andrew S. Wilson Alexander Yuan Jose M. Sosa Kelvin N. V. Bush Characteristics of United States military pilots with atrial fibrillation and deployment and retention rates BMC Cardiovascular Disorders Atrial fibrillation Arrhythmia Pilots Military Ablation Pulmonary vein isolation |
| title | Characteristics of United States military pilots with atrial fibrillation and deployment and retention rates |
| title_full | Characteristics of United States military pilots with atrial fibrillation and deployment and retention rates |
| title_fullStr | Characteristics of United States military pilots with atrial fibrillation and deployment and retention rates |
| title_full_unstemmed | Characteristics of United States military pilots with atrial fibrillation and deployment and retention rates |
| title_short | Characteristics of United States military pilots with atrial fibrillation and deployment and retention rates |
| title_sort | characteristics of united states military pilots with atrial fibrillation and deployment and retention rates |
| topic | Atrial fibrillation Arrhythmia Pilots Military Ablation Pulmonary vein isolation |
| url | https://doi.org/10.1186/s12872-022-02542-8 |
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