Economy Class Syndrome, patent foramen ovale and stroke

Whether or not air travel in a patient with patent foramen ovale (PFO) is a risk factor for cerebral embolism is unresolved. This is illustrated by a recent case report of the Massachusetts General Hospital in the New England Journal of Medicine of deep venous thrombosis and stroke associated with air travel. The discussant concluded that because of the relatively short flight “it seems unlikely that air travel was a major risk factor” 1. This may well be true for deep venous thrombosis per se, the risk of which has been shown to increase with duration of the flight 2.
Source: The American Journal of Cardiology - Category: Cardiology Authors: Source Type: research