title: Ventricular ectopic activity and its relevance to aircrew licensing.
abstract: Ventricular ectopic complex ( VEC ) activity is seen frequently, both in patients with cardiovascular disease and in normal subjects. It has been claimed to be predictive of cardiovascular disease but in the asymptomatic individual it may be benign. Unifocal ventricular ectopic complexes with activity greater than 2 per 100 on the resting electrocardiogram of an applicant for a flying licence should be assessed. Further investigation including exercise electrocardiography and tape monitoring may be indicated. Even following investigation, empirically high counts may be acceptable only for multi-crew operation. Complex ventricular ectopic activity including multiformity, pairs, ventricular tachycardia, R-on-T ectopic beats, bigeminy and trigeminy, and parasystole, are incompatible with unrestricted certification and most are incompatible with any form of certification as individual risk-stratification is not yet possible. Of these, bigeminal arrhythmias are, however, likely to be the most benign, while R-on-T ectopic complexes and ventricular tachycardia are the most malignant.
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000337:Aerospace Medicine; D000367:Age Factors; D001145:Arrhythmias, Cardiac / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000401:mortality; D003645:Death, Sudden / Q000209:etiology; D004562:Electrocardiography; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008004:Licensure; D008297:Male; D010559:Personnel Management; D010560:Personnel Selection; D011379:Prognosis; D012146:Rest; D012737:Sex Factors; D014938:Work Capacity Evaluation