*1946 First recognised by a physician travelling from Boston  to Venezuela on 14 hour flight 

*1977 The term “Economy Class Syndrome first coined by 2 British researchers Symington &  Stack. They found there is a greater likelihood for the condition to occur in-flight rather than during surface transport because of several contributory factors: immobility, cramped seating, compression of thighs by seat  edge and dehydration.

*1985 Steady stream of illnesses developed in-flight seen at Ashford Hospital including DVT/PE. 39 yr. old female collapsed after flight from Malaysia. Hart Y et al (Lancet) 

*1986  11 deaths in-flight, 18% of total due to DVT/PE – 82% female. Sarvesvaran R Med. Sci Law (1986) Vol. 26 No. 1 

*1986  International Air Transport Association (IATA): Medical Manual recognised prolonged immobility caused circulatory problems.

*1986 Other cases of DVT/PE at Ashford. Two females, a 45 yr. old and another in her 20s who smoked and was on the pill. Two males, a 45 yr. old and a 60 yr. old. No predisposing factors.

*1988 Economy Class Syndrome – phrase used. Cruickshank J et al Lancet ii 497-8 1988.

*1996 Medical Guidelines for Air Travel
published by Aerospace Medical Association. Authors include doctors from Lufthansa (Dr Lutz Bergau) British Airways (Dr Neville Byrne) & Air Canada (Dr Claude Thibault). Recognised the occurrence in economy and business/first. “According to Virchow, there are three underlying conditions which cause a predisposition for DVT (Statis, endothelium and coagubility). All three of these conditions are associated with air travel particularly long distance flights.

*2000 House of Lords Inquiry 

*2001 - Foundation of Victims of Air Related DVT Association (VARDA) 

2001 Research: 10% of passengers (aged 50 to 70) developed DVT post flight. Scurr J et al (Lancet 12.05.01 Volume 357).

*2001 World Health Organisation (WHO). Consultation on Air Travel and DVT – there was a probable link between DVT and air travel

*2001 John Belstead, Accident & Emergency Consultant, Ashford Hospital - 30 passenger deaths from Heathrow arrivals in last 3 years 

*2001 BBC Panorama Programme details tragic death of 28 year old Emma Christoffersen from flight related DVT, gaining world wide publicity  

*2002 Sunday Times Travel Section campaigns for more legroom in Economy Class Air Travel 

*2002 VARDA presentation to Commissioner for Transport and MEPs.

*2002 World Health Organisation research programme commences.

*2002/2003 900 passengers (aged 25 to 65) Potentially fatal blood clots formed in 4.3% high risk passengers after 2 to 3 hrs  flying. Ref: Prof. Gianni Belcaro. 

* 2003  New Zealand Medical Research Institute findings: 878 long haul passengers from low & medium risk categories: 5 had DVT & 4 PE (approx 1% of total). Those affected included business class passengers, some who had worn flight socks and some on aspirin. (Lancet)
Research suggests:

·   Term “Economy Class Syndrome” be avoided. Also, Flight Stockings & Aspirin may not protect long haul passengers from developing DVT and may give a false sense of security

(NOTE: VARDA recommends 150mg aspirin be taken the day before a flight, on the day of the flight and for 2 days after. Research has shown it has a beneficial effect in preventing PE. The New Zealand Air Travellers Study shows some 30% used it to good effect. VARDA further recommends the use of graduated stocking hose.) 

·   Around 3 to 4 long haul passengers on every jumbo jet of 400 passengers are likely to develop DVT!

·   The assumption that most flight related DVT victims have pre-existing risk factors is now questioned

*2004 VARDA presentation on “The Protection of Air Passenger Health” to EU Petition Committee 21st January by Ruth Christoffersen and Brenda Wilson. Petitions Committee Chairman recommends to Commissioner Byrne action on an Information Campaign and Health Warnings on Tickets. 

*2004 28/03 Consultant Vascular Surgeon George Geroulakos, Ealing Hospital, claims long haul airline passengers could be at risk of strokes because of cramped seating. 

*2004 5/05 Flight related DVT campaigner John Smith MP leads a 10 Downing Street VARDA delegation to deliver 17,000 petition signatures and an Open Letter to Prime Minister Tony Blair. 

*2004World Health Organisation clinical research stalled due to £10M shortfall in funds.                    

*2004 Dr Annette Ruge, Head of Aviation Health Unit addresses All Party Parliamentary Group at the House of Commons with invited VARDA representatives present.

*2004 VARDA Founding Chair Ruth Christoffersen nominated for Woman of the Year Award 2004.

*2005 VARDA preparing to become a fully constituted independent organisation at an inaugural AGM to be held at Warwick University on 30 April .

*2005 VARDA web-site launched: www.varda.org

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