Vascular medicine
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The association between air travel and pulmonary embolism (PE) is recognized, but the absolute risk has not been quantified. Due to its geographical isolation, more than 50% of international travelers arrive at Sydney airport after a flight of'at least 9 hours. Patients who become acutely unwell upon disembarkation are taken to one of two hospitals. ⋯ Seven patients had risk factors for thromboambolic disease. During the period of our review 6.58 million passengers arrived in Sydney on flights of at least 9 hours in duration, representing an incidence of 2.57 per million. In conclusion, the incidence of acutely symptomatic PE in association with long distance air travel is low and the majority of patients survive following hospital presentation.