Airlines may be forced to detail DVT risk

According to national newspaper, the Observer, the UK Government is considering forcing airlines print health warnings about deep vein thrombosis (DVT) on tickets for long-haul flights.

It is understood that voluntary guidelines likely to be published in the next few weeks will be backed by regulations if airlines fail to follow the recommendations made by the Government.

It is thought that as many as one in ten passengers on long-haul fights may be at risk from DVT. Sitting in one position for long periods of time restrict blood flow the certain areas of the body, particularly the legs, and any resulting blood clots formed pose a serious risk of causing a potentially lethal pulmonary thrombosis.

A study revealed that 30 passengers a month were treated for DVT shortly after landing at Heathrow. Medical researchers believe that as many as 2,000 people a year die from DVT each year in Britain.

However, while the medical link to what has been dubbed “economy class syndrome” is well known, the claims made in the Observer article were dismissed as “complete rubbish” by a government spokesperson.

The syndrome has been played down by airlines facing a deluge of court cases, it is not just economy class passengers sitting in cramped seating that are affected. In January this year details of a first class passenger who had experienced a serious life-threatening DVT after a transatlantic flight to Geneva were made public. Top advertising executive Chris Jones had to undergo emergency surgery to save his life following diagnosis of a DVT. Though Mr Jones recovered he had to have several follow-up operations and has since been unable to return to work.

Some long-haul airlines provide information to passenger on the risk of DVT and health experts warn passengers in certain high-risk categories such as those with medical conditions, smokers or the elderly should discuss the risk of DVT with their doctor before a long-haul flight.

During a long flight passenger should try to exercise every half-hour, wear loose-fitting clothes and drink plenty of water or fruit juices to prevent dehydration.

(SP)