Travel-Related Thrombosis (bsh 2010)

 

Definition

Thrombosis occurring within 8 weeks of journey

 

Risk

 

VTE – 0.5% for flights >8 hours for low-intermediate risk flyers

PE – 5 per million for flights >12 hours

 

Management

 

No evidence of a link between travel-related VTE and dehydration.

 

Indirect evidence to support maintaining mobility on flights >3 hours

 

Highest risk travelers should consider below knee stockings

  • Surgery within the last 1 month

  • Active malignancy

  • Previous unprovoked, or travel-provoked, VTE

 

Drug prophylaxis should be on a patient-by-patient basis

  • If used, use anticoagulant not antiplatelet (based on studies of other VTEs)