[Travel-induced thrombosis: an update].
Travel-related disorders are a well known problem. In the last years many cases of deep venous thrombosis (DVT) and pulmonary thromboembolism (VTE) were published after several hours lasting journeys by airplane, but also by car, bus and railway. This condition was termed "travel-thrombosis" or "economy class syndrome" for long haul flights. At present the precise incidence for travel-thrombosis is not known. Accepted contributing factors for the development of travel-thrombosis are sitting in a cramped position for several hours, low humidity due to climatisation with the risk for dehydration and increased blood viscosity, reduced fluid intake as well as travellers related risk factors. Whether the special situation in the cabin of an airplane, e.g. mild hypoxia, is an essential contributing factor for DVT and VTE, is controversially discussed. This review will present very recent guidelines of an expert meeting concerning the risk groups for travel-thrombosis (low, moderate and high risk). In addition recommendations for prophylaxis of travel-thrombosis adapted to the different risk groups (leg exercise, adequate fluid intake, compression stockings, low molecular weight heparins) are given.
Schobersberger
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Klinische Abteilung für Allgemeine und Chirurgische Intensivmedizin, Universitätsklinik für Anästhesie und Intensivmedizin, Anichstrasse 35, A-6020 Innsbruck. wolfgang.schobersberger@uibk.ac.at
Schobersberger
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B
Mittermayr
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M
Fries
D
D
D000337:Aerospace Medicine; D006801:Humans; D011655:Pulmonary Embolism / Q000209:etiology* / Q000517:prevention & control; D012307:Risk Factors; D014195:Travel; D020246:Venous Thrombosis / Q000209:etiology* / Q000517:prevention & control