Deep vein thrombosis due to long haul flights

Mumbai: The spate of recent deaths on long haul flights mostly due to caused by deep vein thrombosis has prompted the city’s medical fraternity to deliberate on ways to tackle the problem.
On Wednesday, doctors from private hospitals and airlines who met at Holy Family Hospital in Bandra unanimously agreed that fliers with prior health complications should be extra cautious as airlines have limitations on “providing emergency medical aid”.
Some suggestions: Dr Lata Nakhwa, Head Medical Services Department, Air India (A-I):
She suggested that A-I could have portable defibrillators — a device to restore normal heart beat, ECG machines and anti-coagulant medicines — it stops blood from clotting easily — on board.
Dr Mahesh Shirke, Chief Medical Officer, Go Air:
He insisted that fliers should disclose their previous medical records and be informed about the medical facilities that the airline provides. “For instance, we do not provide ambulance. So if a flier informs us in advance, we can arrange for one," said Dr Shirke.
Dr Punita Masrani, MD Aviation medicine, Med Solutions
“Aero-medical evacuation or having helipads for emergency landing would be of immense help,” she said, adding fliers with ailments could travel by dedicated chartered aircrafts, which have mini ICU units.
11/04/07 Sumitra Deb Roy/Hindustan Times

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Categories: General Aviation Apr 2007, Safety Apr 2007