TY - CHAP M1 - Book, Section TI - Safety of Air Travel & Selection of Patients for Air Travel A1 - Nemer, Jacqueline A. A1 - Juarez, Marianne A. A2 - Papadakis, Maxine A. A2 - McPhee, Stephen J. A2 - Rabow, Michael W. PY - 2020 T2 - Current Medical Diagnosis and Treatment 2020 AB - The medical safety of air travel depends on the nature and severity of the traveler’s preflight condition and factors such as travel duration, frequency and use of inflight exercise, cabin altitude pressure, availability of medical supplies, (including supplemental oxygen), infectious diseases of other travelers, and the presence of health care professionals on board. In-flight medical emergencies are increasing because there are an increasing number of travelers with preexisting medical conditions. Air travel passengers are susceptible to a wide range of flight-related problems: pulmonary (hypoxemia, gas expansion), venous thromboembolism (VTE), infections, cardiac, gastrointestinal, ocular, immunologic, syncope, neuropsychiatric, metabolic, trauma, and illicit substance-related conditions. Air-travel risks are higher for those air travelers with preexisting medical conditions: pregnancy, pulmonary diseases (chronic hypoxemia, asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease), thromboembolic disorders, cardiovascular diseases, neurologic conditions (epilepsy, stroke), recent surgery or trauma, diabetes mellitus, compromised immune system, infectious diseases, mental illness, and substance dependence. Occupational and frequent flyers are also at risk for accumulative radiation exposure, cabin air quality, circadian disturbance, and pressurization problems. SN - PB - McGraw-Hill Education CY - New York, NY Y2 - 2022/05/20 UR - accessmedicine.mhmedical.com/content.aspx?aid=1166176075 ER -