Ventricular Ectopics in Hong Kong
 

During a recent 24hr holter, the doc picked up ectopic beats numbering about 7%.
This would seem to be a problem in obtaining a hong kong medical, which follows JAA law in that more than 2% ectopic beats require further investigation...

I cut out coffee, tea, coca-cola etc for about a month, then redid the holter. No real change.

My cardiologist says that I am asymptomatic and does not see any real complications. However, this being aviation...

Can anyone help with what further investigation might be required? Could I hold an unrestricted medical, specifically from Hong Kong, with an ectopic heartbeat? Is there any other way to reduce the frequency?? already tried magnesium, omega 3, no caffeine....

Ventricular Extra Systoles
 

The Docs will give a difinitive answer, but mine were significantly reduced by a beta blocker. Mine were as a result of an MI and after about 18 months, they just stopped of their own accord. I'm not sure whether beta blockers are permitted for a Class 1 certificate. I was on 100mg a day of Atenolol, which was prohibitive, but I've got it at the back of my mind that a smaller dose is acceptable. I seem to remember that the max number of ectopics was 6 in one minute, but again I'm not completely sure. Docs help please?

MI? whats that?

MI? Whats that?

Myocardial Infarction = Heart attack. Apologies.

Patches,

Since my last post, I've found the following on the UK CAA website. Apologies if you have already seen it. Having spoken to my Doc, (not aviation related) he says that beta blockers are indeed used to treat Ventricular Ectopics, but obviously each case is different.
If I read it correctly, you may have to jump through a couple of hoops (ie Excercise ECG) but it seems that certification may be possible if you are assymptomatic, but with an "as or with co-pilot" restriction. I'm not a Doc, but have had a fair few problems with the old ticker. Hope all works out well. Let us know how you get on.

http://www.caa.co.uk/docs/49/EctopyJan08.pdf

Hi,

I have posted on here before regarding the same/similar subject as I have been suffering for 10 years.

I had an electro physical procedure yesterday where they were hoping to find the cause and ablate (zap) it.

After an uncomfortable, but painless 2+hours they couldn't find anything to "zap" and sent me home!!?? They took me off my Atenelol 50mg and said that this was initially triggered by a combination of lifestyle and shock (due to some devastating news about my mother).

I generally only drink at the weekends but have been told to spread that out and have one glass of wine or beer or spirit per day and stick with the decaff. Plus ensure I sleep properly.

Hope this is of help.

PM me if you need any more info.

Cheers

HR

Hey I jsut read this topic and I saw is related in Hong Kong.. can I ask if anyone of you know where is the suggested centre for testing to obtain Class 1 or 2 medical check? and any website information and how much it cost? Many thanks

Hi Zeflo27,

did you have ventricular ectopic beats (extrasystole or PVC, Premature Ventricular Contractions) on your ecg?
Have you had an Holter? How many PVC do you have a day?

Marco

Marco

I'll try and find out.

Cheers

While most of these ectopic beats are benign ones, Zeflo27 should be more careful, because:There's a small chance you are developing some form of a cardiomyopathy.

I will add that, if the PVC (extrasystole) are _very_ frequent (several thousands a day), they can cause, through the years, the development of dilated cardiomyopathy.

I have 2 questions on the subject.

1. what type of exercises if any is recommended for someone with ectopics ?

2. someone with ectopics under control with the help of beta blocker and remains assymptomatic may be issued with a class 1 medical with OML limitation to fly as or with qualified co-pilot.
Can this person act as Line training capt, TRI or TRE ?

Cheers

hello all, hope to get some feedback on my case thanks.

im a 18 year old, who has ventricular ectopic beats too, about 2% . saw a heart specialist twice to perform all the checks (treadmill, echocardiogram, holter) but nothing found. passed the medical for PPL.

my question is whether i would be granted a class 1 medical for CPL/ATPL ? i know only the doc wd be able to answer that, but wd like some feedback based on experience.

i believe my chances as cadet pilot are virtually zero right? so presuming i get my class 1 and i get the license on my own , how would potential employers view my condition ? how much of a detriment is it ?

thanks people, would appreciate any help at all.

Hi Moonunit,
you are right only an aviation cardiologist can give a definitive answer.
before you head in direction of self funded pilot cadet, I would suggest you discuss this with AME(aviation medical examiners).
At 18 you have many options ahead of you. one of them may be becoming a pilot, but dont spend too much money without medical advice.

good luck

I have had periods when I have been aware of ectopic beats, usually accompanied by a vague thump in the chest. I've had a 72 hour holter, which didn't pick up any extrasystoles! I've also had a few episodes of tachicardia (not very nice). I still hold my Class 2 medical, although I lost it 11 years ago for 3 months when I was having quite frequent periods with ectopic beats (about 5 per hour, sometimes mutiple ones). However, I've also had long periods of time with virtually no ectopics. During the time when my medical was suspended I had all the usual tests including exercise treadmill and echocardiogram, but the tests revealed nothing abnormal. My annual ECG for the medical is always perfectly normal.

I exercise quite a lot (hill-walking mainly), am underweight for my age (59) and height and for 2 years have had slightly raised systolic BP for which I take a low dose of amlodipine.

I'm afraid a beer or two definitely makes the extra beats more likely, but a cup of strong coffee doesn't seem to bring them on. There's definitely a stress related factor, but it seems to have a delayed effect, sometimes weeks afterwards.

I'm told this condition is very common, especially in the over-50's. My experience of dealing with AME's is that (at least in the UK) they want to keep you flying, and will do all they can to help you keep your licence.

Of course, especially with ticker-related problems, everyone's physiology is slightly different so I'm not trying to impart any advice here, just reporting my own experience of the problem.