DVT

[pyrofreak]

Hi,

A "friend" of mine was recently diagnosed with Deep Vein Thrombosis. He is currently on a regiment of blood thinners. While on this regiment he needs to renew his Class 1 medical.

What is an AMEs stance on DVT, can this be a disqualifying factor for the issuance of a medical? Or is it possible to act as PIC while under the regimen?
Any information would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks.

[Rory Dixon]

Hi pyrofreak,
don't now, where your friend lives. In JAR land, treatment with anti-coagulants makes you unfit to pilot an aircraft (JAR-FCL 3.150). With DVT, there is the potential risk of embolic events to the lung, which doesn't go well with being PIC.
I doubt, that it is different in other regions of the world.
After ending the treatment, the medical can be reassessed (JAR-FCL 3, appenix 1 (11)).

[mary meagher]

friend of my develped DVT after a year flying small turbojets with cramped seating; he had to step down from flying and now has a cushy job with the CAA....but renewed the PPL eventually; now enjoys private flying - and better pay!

There is life after the ATPL after all.

[pyrofreak]

Thanks for the reply. Not very encouraging unfortunately.

Would the cause of the blood clot affect the AME's decision? Ie. wasn't caused due to flying in tight spaces but due to trauma caused during a surgical process. He has been flying for years now, but the clot occurred when he was given an injection for another ailment.

Also if his medical is rejected what are the chances of it being reinstated upon completion of said regiment and he is given a clean bill of health?

Thanks again

[beany]

Pyrofreak,

Sorry to hear about your friend. Is this their first DVT or have they had one before?

When someone develops DVT it may be prudent to look for a cause (ie further medical investigations) if there is no clear cause that can be identified from recent history. In your friend's case, there is a recent plausible cause for the DVT so this wouldn't be necessary from what you've said.

Unfortunately I don't think this would have an effect on the outcome of the medical. The fact is, the DVT is there and so is the risk that this carries while it is still present in the vascular system. As long as the cause of the clot is gone (ie in this case the post operative period is over) then I would think that it would be reasonable to use the anticoagulant medication (blood thinners) for 3 months and then to rescan the leg to check that the clot has gone. If it has then he/she can be reviewed by the treating doctor who knows of their complete medical history etc and a decision can be made about stopping the medication.

It would probably be sensible to review their medical at this point.

Not sure if that helps at all but it might give you an idea about time scales.

Best of luck!

B

[gingernut]

some stuff here, not sure if it clarifies anything...

DVT and fitness to fly - General Practice Notebook (http://gpnotebook.com/simplepage.cfm?ID=-1885732799)