| GENERAL INFORMATION
|
|
| KEYWORDS
|
Atrial fibrillation, heart disease, category 3 aviation medical certificate
|
| P-2040-01
|
|
| SECTOR (Marine or Aviation)
|
Aviation
|
| SPECIFIC JOB
|
Private pilot
|
| DIAGNOSIS (Primary, Secondary, etc.)
|
Atrial fibrillation
|
| REVIEW
|
|
| DATE OF DETERMINATION
|
August 28, 2000
|
| MEMBER
|
David S. Ahmed
|
| DETERMINATION
|
The decision of the Minister of Transport to suspend the applicant’s category 3 medical certificate is confirmed.
|
| REASONS FOR THE DETERMINATION
|
Suspension of a category 3 medical certificate — Atrial fibrillation is a condition in which the heart beats in an irregularly fashion and anyone with this condition is prone to forming blood clots in the heart. In most cases, patients suffering from atrial fibrillation are put onto anticoagulant therapy (blood thinners) which helps to decrease the incidence of intracardiac thrombosis. However, the applicant is not taking anticoagulant therapy which would certainly appear to put him at an even greater risk of developing complications. Based on the evidence, the Tribunal member has determined that the Minister of Transport acted correctly in suspending the applicant’s category 3 medical certificate.
|
| APPEAL
|
|
| DATE OF DECISION
|
February 5, 2001
|
| MEMBERS
|
Dr. Samuel Birenbaum, William T. Tweed, Keith E. Green
|
| DECISION
|
The appeal is dismissed. The Minister of Transport’s decision is upheld.
|
| REASONS FOR THE DECISION
|
The appeal is dismissed. The Tribunal member at review concluded that, based on the medical evidence presented, the appellant had a medical condition called atrial fibrillation. This results in an irregular heartbeat, causing the risk of blood clots being sent to other parts of the body, a condition which could result in death or incapacitation. The appeal panel accepts and agrees with the review member’s finding that the appellant is unfit to exercise the privileges of a category 3 medical certificate.
|
| OTHER/COMMENTS
|
|
|
|
|