Air Travel and Patients with Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease

Editorials1 April 1984Air Travel and Patients with Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary DiseaseHENRY GONG JR., M.D.HENRY GONG JR., M.D.Search for more papers by this authorAuthor, Article, and Disclosure Informationhttps://doi.org/10.7326/0003-4819-100-4-595 SectionsAboutPDF ToolsAdd to favoritesDownload CitationsTrack CitationsPermissions ShareFacebookTwitterLinkedInRedditEmail ExcerptThe article by Schwartz and coworkers (1) in this issue serves as an effective reminder that some passengers with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease can markedly reduce their arterial oxygen tension (PO2) to 30 to 40 mm Hg at altitudes commonly flown by high-flying, pressurized jet aircraft (1500 to 2400 m). This information is particularly relevant because air transportation today is relatively expeditious, popular, safe, and often economical for both healthy and ill passengers. It has been estimated that 5% of commercial airline passengers are ambulatory patients with some disease or illness (2), including chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. Whereas some patients...References1. SCHWARTZBENCOWITZMOSER JHK. Air travel hypoxemia with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. Ann Intern Med. 1984;100:473-7. LinkGoogle Scholar2. IGLESIASCORTESALMANZA RMC. Facing air passengers medical problems while on board. Aerosp Med. 1974;45:204-6. MedlineGoogle Scholar3. . Medical aspects of transportation aboard commercial aircraft. JAMA. 1982;247:1007-11. CrossrefMedlineGoogle Scholar4. BEIGHTON P. Medical hazards of air travel. Practitioner. 1967;198:668-72. MedlineGoogle Scholar5. RICHARDS P The effects of air travel on passengers with cardiovascular and respiratory diseases. Practitioner. 1973;210:232-41. MedlineGoogle Scholar6. DAVIESDEGOTARDI GP. Inflight medical facilities. Aviat Space Environ Med. 1982;53:694-700. MedlineGoogle Scholar7. LUFT U. 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The accuracy of venturi masks at altitude. Aviat Space Environ Med. 1982;53:818-21. MedlineGoogle Scholar This content is PDF only. To continue reading please click on the PDF icon. Author, Article, and Disclosure InformationAffiliations: UCLA Center for the Health Sciences Los Angeles, California PreviousarticleNextarticle Advertisement FiguresReferencesRelatedDetails Metrics Cited ByThe Hypoxia Altitude Simulation TestTravelers with Pre-existing DiseaseHypoxia During Air Travel in Adults With Pulmonary DiseaseAnálisis de los aspectos logísticos y organizativos de un crucero para pacientes con insuficiencia respiratoria crónica. 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Mehm, PhDMedical aspects of commercial air travelAltitude Exposures during Aircraft Flight 1 April 1984Volume 100, Issue 4Page: 595-597KeywordsChronic obstructive pulmonary diseaseHealth economicsHealth information technologyLungsOxygenPartial pressure of oxygen Issue Published: 1 April 1984 PDF DownloadLoading ...