Travel and venous thromboembolism
Hallundbæk Mikkelsen, K.; Knudsen, S.U.; Nannestad Jørgensen, L.
Ugeskrift for Laeger 175(44): 2628-2631
2013
ISSN/ISBN: 1603-6824 PMID: 24629195 Document Number: 664680
A literature study on the association between travel and venous thromboembolism (VTE) is conducted. Studies examining the risk of travel-associated VTE, predisposing factors and prophylactic measures are presented. It is concluded that the absolute risk of travel-associated VTE is low and holds a 2-4 fold increase after travel. The risk increases with duration, presence of other risk factors for VTE and extremes of height. Stockings reduces the risk of asymptomatic VTE. Heparin is presumed to constitute protection whereas there is no evidence of a prophylactic effect of acetylsalicylic acid.