CaVD-PACE project: “New treatments and diagnostic measures for cardiovascular diseases”
CaVD-PACE project: “New treatments and diagnostic measures for cardiovascular diseases”
Pilot and air traffic controllers (ATCO) medical fitness is one of the European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) prioritised topics in the area of medical requirements to safeguard flight safety. It is generally known that one of the frequently reported medical conditions that may lead to on-the-job incapacitation, or restriction of license privileges of pilots and ATCOs, is cardiovascular in nature. Therefore, a thorough and effective cardiovascular risk assessment will significantly contribute to optimally safeguard flight safety and personal wellbeing of pilots and ATCOs.
Since the development of the currently prevailing EASA requirements concerning pilots and ATCO cardiological fitness in the context of medical certification, cardiological diagnostic methods, monitoring, and treatment possibilities have made impressive progress, with developments providing opportunities for earlier and more accurate identification of cardiovascular risks and improved treatment results. These recent developments could lead to more accurate detection of cardiovascular risks in pilots and ATCOs. New treatment and monitoring options might also provide opportunities for pilots and ATCOs with cardiovascular conditions to meet the aeromedical safety requirements. The suitability of the new treatment and diagnostic options should be evaluated, in terms of a) their added value for flight safety and b) their feasibility, such as availability, costs, and impact on the risk assessment process.
In this context, EASA has commissioned the German Aerospace Center (DLR) Institute of Aerospace Medicine to perform the present research that aims at evaluating new medical developments for early diagnosis, monitoring, and treatment of cardiovascular diseases for the benefit of pilots, ATCOs, and flight safety.
Research project funded by the EU Horizon Europe Research & Innovation programme
Funded by the EU Horizon Europe Research & Innovation Programme, and to optimise EASA’s flight safety standards, the CaVD-PACE (CardioVascular Diseases - Pilots and ATCOs Cardiovascular Evaluation) research project aims at providing evidence-based recommendations to update the cardiovascular requirements, taking the most recent cardiological diagnostic and therapeutical developments into account. This will be achieved by the following research activities:
- Analysis of recently developed state-of-the-art methods to identify or monitor cardiovascular risks and pathologies
- Analysis of recently developed treatments of the different cardiovascular conditions concerning their efficacy and effects on safe functioning of pilots and ATCOs taking flight environmental factors and job demands into account
- Critical review of the existing requirements in aeromedical regulations
- Based on both analyses and the critical review, recommendations will be given concerning recently developed diagnostic methods and treatments, whilst taking their suitability for aeromedical screening of pilots and ATCOs, as well as their cost-effectiveness, and availability at the EU Member State level into account
- Development of risk management promotion material for pilots and ATCOs to stimulate self-detection and self-management of modifiable cardiovascular and metabolic risk factors.
The project runs from 01-01-2023 to 31-12-2025 and the final results will be disseminated to aviation medical examiners (AMEs), Aeromedical Centres (AeMCs), National Competent Authorities, and other stakeholders/professional audiences.
Project | CaVD-PAC |
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Duration | 01/2023-12/2025 |
