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Deep Vein Thrombosis Risk After Air Travel
 (Ivanhoe Newswire) -- A new report paints a detailed picture of who is at risk for deep vein thrombosis after air travel -- and how high that risk is for specific groups.
Researchers from Leiden University Medical Center, Academic Medical Center Amsterdam and Nestle Medical Services surveyed more than 8,700 employees of international companies about their air travel and whether or not they developed deep vein thrombosis or pulmonary emboli after travel. Researchers say 53 thromboses occurred, and 22 occurred within eight weeks of a long-haul flight.
Results of the study show there was a slight increase in thromboses per year for people who took long haul flights (3.2/1,000) when compared to those who were not exposed to air travel (1/1,000). That equates to one thrombosis event per 4,656 long-haul flights.
Researchers found people who had a higher risk for venous thrombosis were people younger than age 30, women who used oral contraceptives, and people who were particularly short, tall or overweight. The incidence of thrombosis was highest in the first two weeks after a flight and risk increased with more exposure to long flights and frequent air travel within a short time frame.
In conclusion, authors write, “The results of our study do not justify the use of potentially dangerous prophylaxis, such as anticoagulant therapy, for all long-haul air travelers, since this may do more harm than good. However, for some subgroups of people with a highly increased risk, the risk-benefit ratio may favor the use of prophylactic measures.”
Researchers report large randomized trials should be done to determine who would benefit most from various preventive measures.
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