[Traveler's thrombosis: incidence, etiology, prevention]

The number of persons traveling by airplane, railway or bus is on the increase. Recently, there has been a growing number of reports on travel-related disorders after long journeys, especially long-haul flights (i.e. deep venous thrombosis (DVT) and pulmonary thromboembolism (VTE), also known as "economy class syndrome" or "traveler's thrombosis"). The exact incidence of travel related thrombosis is not known. Contributing factors for DVT and VTE are sitting in a cramped position for hours, low humidity and lowered oxygen pressure in the aircraft cabin, reduced fluid intake and dehydration, as well as individual risk factors. In this review article definitions for risk groups (low, moderate and high risk for DVT and VTE) and recommendations for prevention (leg exercise, fluid intake, compression stockings and application of low molecular weight heparins) of travel related thrombosis, based on the outcome of a recent expert meeting, are presented.