This Article
Right arrow Full Text (PDF)
Right arrow Submit a response
Right arrow View responses
Right arrow Alert me when this article is cited
Right arrow Alert me when eLetters are posted
Right arrow Alert me if a correction is posted
Services
Right arrow Email this article to a friend
Right arrow Similar articles in this journal
Right arrow Similar articles in PubMed
Right arrow Alert me to new issues of the journal
Right arrow Download to citation manager
Citing Articles
Right arrow Citing Articles via Google Scholar
Google Scholar
Right arrow Articles by Badrinath, P.
Right arrow Search for Related Content
PubMed
Right arrow PubMed Citation
Right arrow Articles by Badrinath, P.
Related Collections
Right arrow Venous thromboembolism
CMAJ • April 2, 2002; 166 (7)
© 2002 Canadian Medical Association or its licensors

Letters
Correspondance

Air travel and venous thromboembolism — the jury is still out

Padmanabhan Badrinath

Clinical Assistant Professor & Epidemiologist, Faculty of Medicine & Health Sciences, UAE University, Al-Ain, United Arab Emirates

Recent correspondence by Michael Mant states that the association between air travel and venous thromboembolism is weak.1 However, more evidence has appeared in the literature in the last few months on this association. A recent study found that distance travelled is a significant contributing risk factor for pulmonary embolism associated with air travel.2 In this study, the rate of pulmonary embolism was 4.8 cases per 1 000 000 passengers for those travelling more than 10 000 km, and 1.5 cases per 1 000 000 for 5000 km of travel, as compared to 0.01 cases per 1 000 000 among those travelling less than 5000 km.

Symptomless deep vein thrombosis (DVT) might occur in up to 10% of long-haul airline travellers, and the wearing of elastic compression stockings during long-haul air travel is associated with a reduction in symptomless deep vein thrombosis.3

A report from the House of Lords in the United Kingdom entitled Fifth Report: Air Travel and Health has reviewed the evidence available and put forward certain recommendations to prevent deep vein thrombosis based on the baseline risk of the passengers.4

Finally, information for air travellers on ways to prevent venous thromboembolism is abundant on the Internet. The Web site www.airhealth.org has produced an excellent information sheet.5 Travellers can print it off and carry it with them. Some interesting tips on in-flight exercises can also be found from the Web site of Qantas.6

The jury is still out on this association, and we can expect a verdict as more high-quality evidence emerges in the literature.

Padmanabhan Badrinath Clinical Assistant Professor & Epidemiologist Faculty of Medicine & Health Sciences UAE University Al-Ain, United Arab Emirates

References

  1. Mant MJ. Air travel and venous thromboembolism [letter]. CMAJ 2001;165(8):1006. [Free Full Text]
  2. Lapostolle F, Surget V, Borron SW, Desmaizieres M, Sordelet D, Lapandry C, et al. Severe pulmonary embolism associated with air travel. N Engl J Med 2001;345:779-83. [Abstract/Free Full Text]
  3. Scurr JH, Machin SJ, Bailey-King S, Mackie IJ, McDonald S, Smith PD. Frequency and prevention of symptomless deep-vein thrombosis in long-haul flights: a randomised trial. Lancet 2001;357:1485-9.[Medline]
  4. Select committee on science and technology. Deep vein thrombosis, seating and stress. In: Fifth report: air travel and health. London (UK): House of Lords; 15 Nov 2000. Available: www.publications.parliament.uk/pa/ld199900/ldselect/ldsctech/121/12109.htm#a78 (accessed 2001 Nov 19).
  5. Here is what you need to know to reduce your risk of thrombosis injury. Available: www .airhealth.org/ENGLISH.PDF (accessed 2001 Nov 19).
  6. Pre-flight essentials: your health inflight. Available: www.qantas.com.au/flights/essentials/healthinflight.html (accessed 2001 Nov 19).



eLetters:

Read all eLetters

Air travel and thromboembolism - still collecting the evidence
Mark Newson-Smith
CMAJ, 10 Apr 2002 [Full text]
This Article
Right arrow Full Text (PDF)
Right arrow Submit a response
Right arrow View responses
Right arrow Alert me when this article is cited
Right arrow Alert me when eLetters are posted
Right arrow Alert me if a correction is posted
Services
Right arrow Email this article to a friend
Right arrow Similar articles in this journal
Right arrow Similar articles in PubMed
Right arrow Alert me to new issues of the journal
Right arrow Download to citation manager
Citing Articles
Right arrow Citing Articles via Google Scholar
Google Scholar
Right arrow Articles by Badrinath, P.
Right arrow Search for Related Content
PubMed
Right arrow PubMed Citation
Right arrow Articles by Badrinath, P.
Related Collections
Right arrow Venous thromboembolism