Congenital heart disease

Considerations

Surgical progress is now allowing many subjects to lead a reasonably normal life following successful surgical treatment. Some conditions do not require surgery because of small defects only but may still pose a risk to aviation safety due to an elevated risk of symptomatic conduction defect abnormality.

Congenital heart diseases often leave subjects with functional cardiac impairment, including risk of arrhythmia, that are of aeromedical significance. Congenital heart disease may be part of a syndrome encompassing other abnormalities.

Information to be provided

On the first occasion that an applicant presents with a history of congenital heart disease.

• A recent cardiologist report;
• Copy of all cardiologist reports;
• Copy of any operating reports;
• Copy of most recent investigations reports, to include echocardiogram or MRI images and full tracing of any stress ECG or Holter monitoring;
• Copy of GP notes for the past two years.

On subsequent occasions:

• A recent cardiologist report;
• Copy of most recent investigations reports;
• Investigations reports as recommended by the cardiologist or advised by CAA.

Disposition

An applicant with a history of congenital heart disease should be considered as having a condition that is of aeromedical significance; unless:

• A previous Accredited Medical Conclusion has concluded that the condition is no longer of aeromedical significance;
• There is no evidence or suspicion of change in the applicant’s condition.

An applicant with a history of closed patent ductus arteriosus may be considered as having a condition that is not of aeromedical significance if:

• A cardiologist report indicates normal cardiac function; and
• Absence of pulmonary hypertension.