Myocardial Perfusion Scan

[tgilson]

Hi All

I had an angioplasty (3 stents in 1 artery) back in 2008 and so my class 1 medical is still suspended at the moment, but I'm about to embark on a mission to get something back. I have followed the CAA algorithm and been in contact with HQ and I need the following - cardiologist review, exercise/stress test and a myocardial perfusion scan. CAA say they can do the review and stress test for £195 which seems pretty reasonable but I can't get a price or location nearby for the scan. I know there are a couple of places in London but I live just outside Swansea so would like something closer. Anyone got any info on price and scan location plus has anyone gone to the CAA for the other two or would I be dancing with the devil?
I am going to try and get my class 2 / class 1 multi crew limitation back and then go to a medical appeals panel to try and get the restriction changed to instruction only with no public transport. As it stands now you can instruct "post solo" but not ab initio which I also want to try and change.
After all, someone has to be first !

Any info or comments would be greatly appreciated.

Many thanks ......... Regaeds, Tony.

[air pig]

Hi Tony

Try your GP to see if he/she will refer you to a cardiologist locally, you may have to pay for a private appointment, but he/she should be able to point you in the right direction. Morriston has a cardiac centre, maybe worth a try?

With the government wanting people to got to work, that could be a good angle to play.

Regards

Air pig

[Nightstop]

Hi Tony, you're looking in the region of £900 for a thallium scan in London at the Brompton Heart Hospital....the good news is they accept all well known credit cards (debited before the test!). I think that location is the CAA's preferred centre of excellence in this field. You'll get the specialist's verdict straight after the test. Don't forget to ask for a letter from him explaining that you're mildly radioactive (for about a month I think)..could be useful when (by)passing through airport security.
You've nothing to fear from the exercise stress test (up to 12 minutes on the treadmill, but 9 minutes minimum required). Make sure your BP is OK before you go, if not get your Doc to prescribe something suitable in advance.
Good luck.

[AL3707]

Hi Tony

Ive been through this process so im reasonably familiar with it all by now,

First thing you need is an approved Caa cardioligist there is a list of these chaps shown as a download on Caa medical website in the download section so hopefully there will be someone closer to where you live.

Next you can have a stress echo instead of a perfusion scan this is acceptable to the Caa

Generally the Caa disregard any thing the Nhs Drs have to say

Additionally you have have to meet all the requirements on the algorithm if they cant tick a box forget it!!!!!!!! So dont submit your file until you meet all the requirements otherwise you are wasting your time and your money, i cant emphasise this enough every slight thing on that algorithm has got to be met in full and beyond

The treamill requirment is to acheive a minimum of 9 mins but with in certain limits, ie heart rate and rythm blood pressure recovery rate is also measured and must be acceptable.

The following tests last year cost me,

Consutant fees £290
Stress echo £379
24 Hour Holter monitor £240
treadmill £315

Finally if you are recertified with Class1 OML this also gives you full unrestricted Class 2 medical

The CAA position is very clear about the instructing side of things from there," they say you CAN instruct Ab initio students with in the realms of the Class 2 provided you do not get paid for the flying" they go on to say suggest that you may wish to inform the ab intio student that that you have an Oml on your Class1 and therefore are instructing unpaid on your Class2 certificate.

So if you are recertified i suppose the appeals discussion for you to take forward is whether/why you cant be paid for instructing Ab initio guys!

If you think about it there are hundreds of PPL instructors with Fi ratings and Class2 Medicals out there who have been instructing for donkeys years with out pay so in this regard it does make sense.

Hope this helps and good luck to you

AL3707