Trends in Sudden Cardiac Death in Pilots: A Post COVID-19 Challenging Crisis of Global Perspectives (2011-2023) – A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

Background Sudden cardiac death (SCD) remains a significant threat to pilots and is a leading cause of death worldwide, jeopardizing flight safety and causing devastating consequences. This review examines trends in SCD among pilots from a global perspective, analyzing evidence from 2011 to 2023, with a focus on its growing impact as a global crisis and recent findings pointing to a potential rise in incidence, particularly after 2019.

Objectives To analyze the prevalence, risk factors, and prevention strategies for SCD in pilots, particularly post-COVID-19.