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health & wellness
"economy class syndrome"?...
traveling
long distance by airplane to the M East or
elsewhere...
Traveling
long
distance by airplane is thought to
increase the risk for developing blood
clots in the legs, especially if
one has underlying reasons for such
blood clots. These blood clots
can move with
the blood in the
circulation, from the
legs up to
the heart
and lungs
and may lead to serious
complications,
and could be fatal in few cases. It is not
clear, how many people on long distance
flights will develop these blood clots, but
this problem is becoming more recognized as
shown by several published medical articles. The current thinking is that a small
percent of travelers will
develop significant blood clots.
This complication is referred to as "economy
class syndrome", because
people sitting in the economy
class, have less
leg room and they do not move their legs
enough and tend not to get out of their seats.
Blood clots can happen to people in first or
business class seats as well, if they are not active
and have risk factors.
Known
risk factors include recent
surgery, history of blood clots, older
individuals and individuals on contraceptive
pills and hormones.
Reference
Scurr
JH et al. Deep vein thrombosis in airline
passengers—the incidence of deep vein
thrombosis and the efficacy of elastic
compression stockings.
Cardiovasc Surg. 2001 Apr;9(2):159-61.
Arfvidsson et al. Risk factors for venous
thromboembolism following prolonged air
travel: a prospective study. Cardiovasc Surg.
2001 Apr;9(2):158-9.
Parsi KA. et al. Traveler’s venous
thromboembolism.
Cardiovasc Surg. 2001 Apr;9(2):157-8.
Caprini JA. et al. Air travel-related deep
venous thrombosis. Chicago views.
Cardiovasc Surg. 2001 Apr;9(2):150-3;
discussion 153-6.
Lord RS .et al. Air travel-related deep venous
thrombosis. Sydney views.
Cardiovasc Surg. 2001 Apr;9(2):149-50;
discussion 153-6.
Partsch H. Air travel-related deep venous
thrombosis. Vienna views.
Cardiovasc Surg. 2001 Apr;9(2):147-9;
discussion 153-6.
Bernard KG. et al. Air travel and deep vein
thrombosis—the London experience.
Cardiovasc Surg. 2001 Apr;9(2):146-7;
discussion 153-6.
Eklof B et al. Air travel related venous
thromboembolism. Hawaii views.
Cardiovasc Surg. 2001 Apr;9(2):145; discussion
153-6.
edited
by T. Farhat,
MD - 2001
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