LONG AIRLINE FLIGHTS MAY TRIGGER: "ECONOMY-CLASS SYNDROME".

• Position: Deep vein thrombosis - Brief Article

Healthy airline passengers have little to fear from so-called "Economy-Class Syndrome," especially if they take precautions on long trips and at other times when cramped seating can't be avoided, indicates Andrzej Szuba, a vascular medicine specialist at Stanford (Calif.) University Medical Center. The syndrome is the airborne occurrence of deep vein thrombosis (DVT) that usually affects individuals with poor circulation and weak veins. DVT rarely occurs in persons with healthy circulation. The condition, which in rare instances can be fatal, may be triggered by long periods of inactivity and cramped limbs, "which is exactly what you find in economy class--and sometimes even in more expensive seating--on long airline flights," Szuba points out.

In DVT, blood becomes trapped in veins deep within leg muscles. Clots form in these pockets and may then move out to block major leg veins. If they break loose, the clots can flow to the lungs, where they become trapped. This can block lung circulation, causing shortness of breath and sometimes heart failure and death.

Although DVT may sometimes occur without symptoms, typical warning signs include swelling and pain in the leg--usually in the calf--from pooled blood, and, occasionally, bluish discoloration of the skin. The condition is most common in people with known risk factors, particularly congestive heart failure, diabetes, obesity, or a history of DVT or pulmonary embolism. However, publicity has centered on the possibility that one or more of the Economy-Class Syndrome fatalities may have occurred without prior symptoms or known risk.

While an upgrade to business- or first-class seats might be a good way to stay comfortable on a long flight, it may not completely eliminate risk of DVT. Nevertheless, Szuba says almost everyone can reduce the possibility of a dangerous DVT occurrence by taking a few precautions:

* Keep in good physical condition. Overall heart and circulation health is the first defense against DVT. Veins embedded deep in muscles are less likely to harbor clots if the surrounding muscle tissue is strong and keeps them adequately supported. "While some cases of DVT may have occurred in passengers who were in good physical health, it's clear that good health...