Driving and heart disease, Prepared on behalf of the Task Force by M. C. Petch

This Task Force was proposed by the Board of the European Society of Cardiology in 1995. Dr M. C. Petch was suggested as Chairman in view of the United Kingdom’s experience in road traffic safety and medical aspects of fitness to drive; he is currently Chairman of the U.K. Medical Advisory Panel on Cardiovascular Disease and Driving. Dr M. D. Joy was recruited because of his special experience in aviation safety. Other members of the Panel, such as Drs Jaussi, Halinen, Sandoe, Broustet and Luderitz, were easily identified from their interests and publications on the subject. Recruitment from other countries was generally via nomination from the national society. A full list of Task Force members is given in Appendix II The Task Force has met formally on three occasions, in August 1996 and in May and August 1997. A particular issue confronting cardiologists during this period was the question of the implantable cardioverter defibrillator and this was the subject of a separate working group report under the Chairmanship of Professor B. Luderitz. The recommendations of this working group have been incorporated into this Task Force report. Much of the work was undertaken by correspondence, particularly the fact finding. The latter part of the work involved meetings and the authors are grateful to the European Society of Cardiology for financial support. Although the initial remit from the Board was to discuss solely those drivers of ordinary vehicles (Group 1), at the first meeting of the Task Force it was quickly realised that it would be necessary to revisit the proposals made by Professor Hugenholtz’ committee which had not been widely circulated and implemented. (see page 1168).