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While sitting on an international flight, ever wonder what your risks are for a blood clot?
General Background:
It is estimated that the risk for a deep venous thrombosis (DVT) is 3-12% on a long-haul flight. However, the real incidence is difficult to evaluate, due in part to the lack of consensus about 1) diagnostic tests, and 2) the appropriate time frame to relate a venous thromboembolic event (VTE) to travel.
Risks Factors for VTEs on long-haul flights:
- General:
- stasis: prolonged sitting & crowded conditions
- relative hypoxia
- dehydration
- Patient specific:
- Age >40
- Female gender
- Use of estrogen-containing contraceptives/hormone replacement therapy
- Obesity
- Varicose veins in the legs
- Family/personal history of prior VTEs
- Active cancer/recent cancer treatment
Bottom Line:
- Even healthy individuals are at risk on long-haul (>8 hour) flights.
- The risk increases the longer the flight
- Current data does not appear to show a risk difference between economy and business class.
- Avoid dehydration and immobility
- Exercise your legs/calf muscles
- Drink plenty of fluid
References
http://www.cdc.gov/ncbddd/dvt/travel.html
Gavish I, Brenner B. Air travel and the risk of thromboembolism. Intern Emerg Med 2011 Apr;6(2):113-6.