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[Thromboembolism in travelers]
1Egészségtudományi Kar, Szív- és Ersebészeti Klinika, Semmelweis Egyetem, Budapest.
Orvosi Hetilap
|January 10, 2002
Summary
Long haul travel increases the risk of venous thromboembolism (VTE). Both travel and patient factors contribute, necessitating awareness and preventive measures for all travelers.
Area of Science:
- Medical Science
- Public Health
Context:
- Long-distance travel, particularly air travel, has been long suspected to increase the risk of venous thromboembolism (VTE).
- Previous reports primarily focused on air travel-related thrombosis.
Purpose:
- To consolidate and present the multifaceted risk factors associated with travel-related venous thromboembolism.
- To inform travelers and healthcare providers about the risks and potential prophylactic measures.
Summary:
- Risk factors for VTE during travel are categorized into travel-related (immobilization, seating), airplane-specific (humidity, hypoxia), and patient-related (thrombophilia, age, obesity, smoking).
- In some instances, VTE occurred without identifiable patient-specific risk factors, highlighting travel itself as a significant risk.
- Travelers, including those on cars, buses, and trains, face VTE risks, with long haul travel being an independent risk factor.
Impact:
- Emphasizes the need for airlines to provide risk information to passengers.
- Recommends consultation with physicians for prophylactic measures like compression stockings or anticoagulants.
- Highlights that VTE risk extends beyond air travel to all forms of prolonged journeys.