Table 9 Immediate post-flight / event: assessment of patients with respiratory-cardiological complaints after a fume event

Immediate post-flight /event respiratory and heart rate.

 • Auscultation of lung and heart.

 • Blood pressure (if measurement and trained personnel available).

 • Oxygen saturation SpO₂ (record inspired oxygen concentration, e.g. air, 2L/min by mask etc.).

 • Monitor oxygen saturation if < 95%.

 • Spirometry.

 • ECG, if indicated e.g., presence of cardiac irregularity.

 • Blood tests as clinically indicated.

Specialist tests within two weeks as required:

 Respiratory function testing within two weeks:

  • Detailed lung function tests (spirometry, DLCO and FeNO and / or DLNO, if available).

  • Check oxygen saturation SpO₂.

 Consider:

  • Arterial blood gas analysis breathing room air at rest – undertake earlier if there is clinical need – see Notes, below.

  • Expired nitric oxide (FeNO) if available.

  • Exercise testing with oxygen saturation or blood gas analysis.

  • Exhaled gas analysis (ergospirometry, if available).

  • Blood tests (troponin, if indicated e.g., presence of cardiac irregularity).

  • ECG – if clinically indicated.