Pulmonary thromboembolism associated with air travel in Japan.
BACKGROUND
A link between venous thromboembolism (VTE) and air travel has been recently discussed, so the present study aimed to clarify the characteristics of acute pulmonary thromboembolism (PTE) associated with air travel in Japan.


RESULTS
The study group comprised 36 patients with acute PTE associated with air travel. Patients' characteristics, clinical risk factors for VTE and coagulation abnormalities were investigated, and compared with a group of PTE not associated with travel. Of the 36 cases, 30 cases were female, 34 were over 40 years of age and all had flown more than 6 h. Two-thirds of all cases did not leave their seats during the flight. Of the patients, 44% had no clinical risk factors for VTE or coagulation abnormalities. Idiopathic PTE (ie, PTE without clinical risk factors or coagulation abnormalities) was significantly more common in the air travel group.


CONCLUSIONS
Acute PTE associated with air travel in Japan is common in elderly women and may occur without any clinical risk factors for VTE or coagulation abnormalities. Remaining seated throughout the flight increases the risk.
Morio
Hiroshi
H
Department of Internal Medicine, Narita Red Cross Hospital, Narita, Japan. morio@naritasekijyuji.ip
Fujimori
Yoshiharu
Y
Terasawa
Kuniko
K
Shiga
Takashi
T
Murayama
Taichi
T
Yoshimura
Masayuki
M
Osegawa
Masaaki
M
D000328:Adult; D000337:Aerospace Medicine / Q000379:methods; D000367:Age Factors; D000368:Aged; D000401:Aircraft; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007564:Japan; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011655:Pulmonary Embolism / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012307:Risk Factors; D012737:Sex Factors; D014195:Travel