ABSTRACT
Objective: To observe pilots with asymptomatic cerebral infarction (ACI) for their short-term prognosis. Methods: Twenty-two pilots who were diagnosed having ACI by magnetic resonance imaging were enrolled in this study. When they returned to the hospital for regular reexamination, the number of ACI foci, the incidents of acute cerebrovascular disease and grounding of aircraft for any reasons were recorded. According to whether the ACI lesions increased, the patients were divided into two groups. The risk factors for cerebral vascular disease were compared between the two groups. Results: All the patients were followed for 6-42 months (mean 14.18±8.55 months), and 6(18.18%) patients were found to have increase of lesions. No neurological deficit was seen in the two groups, although 3 flight crews were grounded for non-ACI reason. Age and flight time showed statistically significant differences between the lesions increased group and no lesion increased group. Conclusions: The number of ACI foci of some pilots may increase, which is affected by age and flight time. Further investigations on the long-term prognosis and the impacts on flight are needed.