Title: Types of Cardiac Arrhythmia Resulting From Centrifugal Acceleration: An Overview of the Effects of Centrifuge Forces on the Heart
Authors: Hamdan M Alotaibi, Aqeel S Almasoudi, Sulaiman I Alhomaid, Ibrahim A Alshehri, Abdullah K Alharbi, Faiz H Alshehri, Bashair S Alharbi, Haya S Aldosari, Ali A Alzahrani, Sattam M Albosaili, Norah I Alzahrani
DOI: https://dx.doi.org/10.18535/jmscr/v5i3.79
Abstract
References
Cardiac arrhythmia is one of the many health conditions that form the basis of aviation medicine. The absence of adequate information around the condition necessitates studies to that effect. The current paper sought to determine the types of cardiac arrhythmias that may result from aviation related forces. The study relied on findings made in centrifugal training experiments, where subjects were placed in a human centrifuge and exposed to +Gz forces, similar to the motion in a high performance military jet. During such exercises, the tolerance level of the subjects was determined relative to the G-forces. It was found that sinus arrhythmia, premature atrial contraction, premature ventricle contraction, and atrial fibrillation are the common cardiac arrhythmias during such exercises.
Keywords: Cardiac arrhythmia, +Gz forces, centrifugal acceleration.
1. 1. Rayman BR. Clinical aviation medicine. New York: Castle Connolly Graduate Medical Publishing; 2000.
2. Hanada R, Hisada T, Koichiro O. Arrythmias observed during high g-training: proposed safety training criterion. Aviation, Space, and Environmental Medicine. 2004; 75(8):689-91.
3. Whinnery EJ. The electrocardiographic response to high +Gz centrifuge training. Aviation, Space, and Environmental Medicine. 1990; August:716-21.
4. Gan WH, Low R, Singh J. Aviation medicine: global historical perspectives and the development of aviation medicine alongside the growth of Singapore’s aviation landscape. Singapore Med J. 2011; 52(5):324-329.
5. Blue SR, Riccitello MJ, Tizard J, Hamilton JR, Vanderploeg MJ. Commercial spaceflight participant G-force tolerance during centrifuge-simulated suborbital flight. Aviation, Space, and Environmental Medicine. 2012; 83(10):929-34.
6. Vettes B, Vieillefond H, Auffret R. Cardiovascular responses of man exposed to +GZ accelerations in a centrifuge. Aviation, Space, and Environmental Medicine. 1980; April:375-78.
7. Ewelina KZ, Lech HK. Cardiac arrhythmias during aerobatic flight and its simulation on a centrifuge. Aviation, Space, and Environmental Medicine. 2012; 82(6):599-691.
8. Whinnery JE, Hickman JR. Acceleration of asymptomatic aircrew with mitral valve prolapsed and significant +GZ induced ventricular dysrhythmias. Aviation, Space, and Environmental Medicine. 1988; 59:711-717.
9. Jeffrey RD, Johnson R, Stepanek J, Fogarty AJ. Fundamentals of aerospace medicine. Baltimore: Lippincot Williams & Wilkins; 2008.
10. Whinnery JE. Acceleration-induced ventricular tachycardia in asymptomatic men: relation to mitral valve prolapsed. Aviation, Space, and Environmental Medicine. 1983; 54(1):58-64.
11. Johnston R. Clinical aviation medicine: safe travel by air. Clin. Med. 2001;1:385-8.
12. Rayman RB, MD, MPH, DavMed, et al. Rayman’s clinical aviation medicine. New York: Castle Connolly Graduate Medical Publishing; 2013.
13. Kennealy AJ, Kirland SJ, Sneider ER. Bradycardia induced by negative acceler-ation. Aviation, Space, and Environmental Medicine. 1976; 47(5):483-4.
14. Ewelina KZ, Lech HK. Centrifuge breaking effects on cardiac arrhythmias occurring at high +Gz acceleration. Aviation, Space, and Environmental Medicine. 2004; 75:458-60.
15. Whinnery JE. Acceleration-induced atriov-entricular dissociation: hemodynamic consequences. Aviation, Space, and Envir-onmental Medicine. 1982;53(4):432-4.
16. Grossman A, Wand O, Harpaz D, Prokupetz A, Assa A. Acceleration forces and cardiac and aortic indexes in jet fighter pilots. Aviation, Space, and Environmental Medicine. 2011; 82:901-3.
17. Whinnery JE. Post-acceleration chaotic atrial rythm. Aviation, Space, and Environmental Medicine. 1982; 53(4):390-2.
18. Leverett DS, Burton RR. Physiological effect of high sustained +Gz forces on man. Life Sci. Space Res. 1979;17:171-85.
19. Kopka L, Dabrowa R, Bojenko S. Relationship between the value of the Wenckebach point and +Gz tolerance. Aviation, Space, and Environment Medicine. 1984; 55:607-70.
20. Gradwell D, Rainford JD. Ernsting’s aviation medicine. Florida: CRC Press; 2006.