Sydney - Doctors from Australia and New Zealand dismissed the concept of "economy class syndrome" yesterday but called for a major study to determine whether there was any link between air travel and blood clots.
The Australasian Society of Thrombosis and Haemostasis said the risk of fatal deep vein thrombosis (DVT) during air travel had been overstated, adding that blood clots could just as easily occur on long haul bus trips or drives. "The degree of risk has been overstated, vastly overstated," the society president, Dr Ross Baker, said after attending a meeting of Australian airline officials, unions and medical specialists.