Subscribe to RSS
DOI: 10.1055/s-0030-1254364
© Georg Thieme Verlag Stuttgart · New York
Potenzielle Gesundheitsrisiken bei Flugreisen – Korrelation mit physiologischen Gegebenheiten an Bord
Health Implications Associated with Air Travel – Physiological Correlation to Situation on BoardPublication History
Publication Date:
01 May 2010 (online)
Jährlich befördern die Fluggesellschaften weltweit knapp 2 Milliarden Passagiere. Potenzielle Gesundheitsrisiken bei Flugreisen gewinnen an Bedeutung, da die Zahl älterer Passagiere mit unterschiedlichen Vorerkrankungen zunimmt. Geringerer Luft- und Sauerstoffpartialdruck in der Flugzeugkabine können bei Patienten mit kardiopulmonalen Vorerkrankungen oder abnormen Luftansammlungen in Körperhöhlen zu Problemen führen. Das Risiko für ein venöses thromboembolisches Ereignis ist während und kurz nach einem Langstreckenflug erhöht, aber nicht auf die Economy-Class beschränkt. Eine Übertragung von Infektionskrankheiten während Flugreisen ist beschrieben, das Risiko liegt allerdings niedriger als allgemein vermutet. Besonders gefährdet sind Passagiere, die direkt neben oder innerhalb von 2 Sitzreihen zu einem infizierten Mitreisenden sitzen. Bei medizinischen Notfällen an Bord, die eine Zwischenlandung erforderlich machen, entscheidet der Flugkapitän abschließend, ob und wo zwischengelandet wird.
Every year commercial airlines move almost 2 billion passengers aboard their aircrafts. The growing popularity of airline transportation among elder passengers with various medical handicaps makes it necessary to focus on health implications associated with air travel.
In-flight hypobaric hypoxia threatens travellers with pre-existing cardio-pulmonary problems or abnormal air compartments in body cavities and medical devices. The risk of venous thromboembolism is increased during and shortly after long-distance flights but not confined to the Economy Class. The risk of disease transmission on board is obviously lower than perceived and mainly limited to people sitting next to or within two rows of an index passenger. In case of severe medical events the final decision whether and where to divert is due to the captain.
Key words
Air travel - fit to fly - venous thromboembolism - transmission of infectious diseases - inflight medical events
Literatur
- 1 Mahony PH.. „In-Flight Medical Incidents: implications for Cabin Safety“. International Aircraft Cain Safety Symposium, Vancouver. 2004;
- 2 Aerospace Medical Association; Aviation Sarety Committee; CivilAviation Subcommittee. . Cabin cruising altitudes for regular transport aircraft. Aviat Space Environ Med. 2008; 79 433-439
- 3 Coker RK, Shiner RJ, Partridge MR.. Is air travel safe for those with lung disease?. Eur Respir J. 2007; 30 1057-1063
- 4 Hughes R, Heuser T, Hill S et al.. Recent air travel and venous thromboembolism resulting in hospital admission. Respirology. 2006; 11 75-79
- 5 Kuipers S, Cannegieter SC, Middeldorp S et al.. The absolute risk of venous thrombosis after air travel: a cohort study of 8755 employees of international organizations. PLoS Med. 2007; 4
- 6 Jacobson BF, Munster M, Smith A et al.. The BEST study – a prospective study to compare business class versus economy class air travel as a cause of thrombosis. S Afr Med J. 2003; 93 522-528
- 7 Tasker A, Akinola O, Cohen AT.. Review of venous thromboembolism associated with air travel. Travel Med Infect Dis. 2004; 2 75-79
- 8 Mangili A, Gendreau MA.. Transmission of infectious diseases during commercial air travel. Lancet. 2005; 365 989-996
- 9 Selected Committee on Science and Technology. .Air Travel and Health: fifth report.. London: UK House of Lords; 2000
- 10 WHO. .Tuberculosis and air travel: guidelines for prevention and control. 2nd edn. WHO/HTM/TB/2006.363.. Geneva: World Health Organization; 2006
- 11 Moser MR, Bender TR, Margolis HS et al.. An outbreak of influenza aboard a commercial airline. Am J Epidemiol. 1979; 110 1-6
- 12 Dillard IA et al.. Hypoxemia during air travel in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary diseases. Ann Intern Med. 1989; 111 362-367
Korrespondenz
Dr. med. Wolfgang Heinz
Medizinische Klinik – Gastroenterologie Klinikverbund Südwest Krankenhaus Leonberg
Rutesheimer Straße 50
71229 Leonberg
Fax: 07152/202-66109
Email: w.heinz@klinikverbund-suedwest.de