[Traveller's thromboembolic disease. The economy-class syndrome]

Economy class syndrome refers to a thrombo-embolic disease occurring generally after a long air flight, but it may follow long car trips or even simply abnormally long or uncomfortable sitting position such as in war shelters. So the term traveller thrombo-embolic disease would preferably be used. On the basis of 12 personal cases and literature review, it appears that the disease often begins on disembarkation, that pulmonary embolus is frequently the only and first sign, that the victims tend to be over 40 years, and that more than 50% of the patients present a risk factor such as previous venous thrombosis, cardiac insufficiency, hemostasis abnormality ... Although exact frequency of the disease is unknown, our patients should be aware of respecting some preventive rules. Frequent feet flexion-extension motions and correct hydratation are recommended. Elastic contention must be proposed to patients with history of venous stasis. Finally patients with previous thromboembolism must be anticoagulated with preventive heparin dose.