Developed in collaboration with CASA Medical.
This guideline refers to venous thromboembolism (VTE), which includes deep vein thrombosis (DVT) and pulmonary embolism (PE). These are conditions where blood clots develop inside the veins (DVT), and where the clots may move through the venous system and lodge in the lungs (PE).
VTE is caused by issues with the content of a person’s blood, the structure of the veins and the way their blood flows. These causes include genetic diseases of the blood and clotting processes, prolonged immobilisation, surgical procedures, and some cancers.
Symptoms of DVT can range from mild pain and swelling of the affected limb through to chronic pain and changes in blood flow. Symptoms of PE can be severe and life-threating, including shortness of breath, chest pain, coughing up blood, and sometimes sudden death.
Treatment relates to managing the underlying cause if possible and using anti-clotting agents (also known as anticoagulants or “blood thinners” such as warfarin and direct-acting oral anticoagulants) to prevent clots from developing and spreading. Anticoagulant medication is associated with well recognised hazards (e.g. bleeding) which must be considered as a separate risk to aviation safety.
Stop flying or operating and report to ME or CAA for any of the following:
When medical certification is reinstated, long term multi-crew/proximity restriction and surveillance may be required.
