Flight-related complications are infrequent in patients with hereditary haemorrhagic telangiectasia/pulmonary arteriovenous malformations, despite low oxygen saturations and anaemia

Thorax. 2012 Jan;67(1):80-1. doi: 10.1136/thoraxjnl-2011-201027. Epub 2011 Sep 26.

Abstract

Individuals with pulmonary arteriovenous malformations (PAVMs) and hereditary haemorrhagic telangiectasia (HHT) commonly have low oxygen saturations and anaemia, two parameters generally used to indicate medical fitness to fly. Using a retrospective questionnaire-based study, the authors examined in-flight complications and predictors in 145 HHT patients (96 with PAVMs) who reported 3950 flights, totalling 18 943 flight hours. Dyspnoea and thrombotic complications were less common than expected, and could not be predicted from sea level oxygen saturations or haemoglobin concentrations. Nosebleeds that can bar individuals from boarding a flight occurred in 13.6% (11.5% to 15.8%) of long-haul flights. The findings should influence preflight advice.

Publication types

  • Letter
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Aircraft
  • Anemia* / complications
  • Anemia* / epidemiology
  • Anemia* / metabolism
  • Arteriovenous Malformations* / complications
  • Arteriovenous Malformations* / epidemiology
  • Arteriovenous Malformations* / metabolism
  • Dyspnea* / epidemiology
  • Dyspnea* / etiology
  • Dyspnea* / metabolism
  • Global Health
  • Humans
  • Incidence
  • Oxygen / metabolism*
  • Oxygen Consumption
  • Pulmonary Artery / abnormalities
  • Pulmonary Veins / abnormalities
  • Risk Factors
  • Telangiectasia, Hereditary Hemorrhagic* / complications
  • Telangiectasia, Hereditary Hemorrhagic* / epidemiology
  • Telangiectasia, Hereditary Hemorrhagic* / metabolism
  • Thrombosis* / epidemiology
  • Thrombosis* / etiology
  • Thrombosis* / metabolism

Substances

  • Oxygen