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Publication AbstractsIs there a hypercoagulable state in military fighter pilots?Biondi G, Farrace S, Mameli G, Marongiu F.Aviat Space Environ Med 1996; 67:568-71. AbstractBackground: A hypercoagulable state is associated with an increased incidence of cardiovascular disease, the most important cause of permanent grounding of flying personnel. Hypothesis: The aim of our study was to investigate whether a hypercoagulable state is present in jet pilots, and whether it can be due to flight activity. Method: To this purpose we studied fibrinopeptide A (FPA), Thrombin-Antithrombin complexes (TAT) and D-Dimer (DD), sensitive biochemical markers of blood coagulation and fibrinolysis activation, in 10 jet pilots after a standardized training flight mission, and in a control group. Also evaluated before flight were 6 jet pilots. Results: We were able to show increased thrombin and plasmin activity both in jet pilots compared to the control group, and after flight in the 6 pilots who were evaluated twice. Conclusion: We conclude that a hypercoagulable state due to flight activity is present in jet pilots after flight. Possible mechanisms involve an effect of psycho-physical stress medicated by a neuroendocrine response to flight activity, or an effect of chronic +Gz exposure on cardiovascular structure and function.
Information on subscribing, and on obtaining copies of an article or of an entire issue. Table of Contents for Volume 67, Number 6 of the ASEM journal.
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