Dysautonomia and Aeromedical Fitness: About 9 Cases

Abstract

In-flight incapacitation is a concept that reflects a physiological or psychological maladjustment to the aeronautical environment that will lead to a polymorphic symptomatology which reflects functional dysregulations dominated by neurovegetative imbalance. This is a retrospective study including 9 aircrew, both civilian and military, among 18 having presented an In-flight incapacitation.

The analysis of the different explorations of the Autonomic Nervous System allowed to individualize several autonomic profiles concluding to an autonomic cause of the malaise. The aeronautical constraints whose effects can interfere with the neurovegetative balance will be discussed. This study shows the importance of the Autonomic Nervous System in the genesis of flight incapacitation. Hence the interest to explore it, in aircrew presenting this type of incapacitation.