Frequency of venous thromboembolism in low to moderate risk long distance air travellers: the New Zealand Air Traveller's Thrombosis (NZATT) study
- PMID: 14697802
- DOI: 10.1016/s0140-6736(03)15097-0
Frequency of venous thromboembolism in low to moderate risk long distance air travellers: the New Zealand Air Traveller's Thrombosis (NZATT) study
Abstract
Background: The frequency and role of risk factors for venous thromboembolism related to air travel is uncertain. We aimed to establish the frequency of this disorder in a group of long distance air travellers and to investigate the role of potential risk factors.
Methods: We designed a prospective study into which we recruited individuals aged between 18 and 70 years, travelling for 4 h or more by aircraft. D-dimer measurement was done before and after travel. Participants with a negative D-dimer (<500 ng/L) before travel were included in the study. Those who became D-dimer positive or developed high clinical probability symptoms during the 3 months after travel were investigated with bilateral compression ultrasonography and CT pulmonary angiography. Suspected clinical and thrombophilic risk factors, and use of prophylactic measures, were assessed.
Findings: 1000 individuals were recruited, with 878 meeting inclusion criteria and completing the study. All participants travelled at least 10 h, with a mean total duration of air travel of 39 h (SD 12.5). 112 patients underwent radiological assessment on return. Frequency of venous thromboembolism associated with travel was 1.0% (9/878, 95% CI 0.5-1.9), which included four cases of pulmonary embolism and five of deep venous thrombosis. Six patients with venous thromboembolism had pre-existing clinical risk factors, two had a recognised thrombophilic risk factor, two travelled exclusively in business class, five used aspirin, and four wore compression stockings.
Interpretation: Our results suggest an association between multiple long distance air flights and venous thromboembolism, even in individuals at low to moderate risk. The role of traditional risk factors and prophylactic measures in air travel-related venous thromboembolism needs further investigation.
Comment in
-
Venous thromboembolism in long-distance air travellers.Lancet. 2004 Mar 13;363(9412):896; author reply 896-7. doi: 10.1016/S0140-6736(04)15743-7. Lancet. 2004. PMID: 15031040 No abstract available.
-
Venous thromboembolism in long-distance air travellers.Lancet. 2004 Mar 13;363(9412):896; author reply 896-7. doi: 10.1016/S0140-6736(04)15744-9. Lancet. 2004. PMID: 15031041 No abstract available.
-
Venous thromboembolism in long-distance air travellers.Lancet. 2004 Mar 13;363(9412):896; author reply 896-7. doi: 10.1016/S0140-6736(04)15745-0. Lancet. 2004. PMID: 15031042 No abstract available.
Similar articles
-
The BEST study--a prospective study to compare business class versus economy class air travel as a cause of thrombosis.S Afr Med J. 2003 Jul;93(7):522-8. S Afr Med J. 2003. PMID: 12939926
-
Air travel-related symptomatic deep venous thrombosis in cruise ship passengers.Int Marit Health. 2016;67(2):66-71. doi: 10.5603/IMH.2016.0014. Int Marit Health. 2016. PMID: 27364170
-
Frequency and prevention of symptomless deep-vein thrombosis in long-haul flights: a randomised trial.Lancet. 2001 May 12;357(9267):1485-9. doi: 10.1016/S0140-6736(00)04645-6. Lancet. 2001. PMID: 11377600 Clinical Trial.
-
Travel, venous thromboembolism, and thrombophilia.Semin Thromb Hemost. 2005 Feb;31(1):90-6. doi: 10.1055/s-2005-863810. Semin Thromb Hemost. 2005. PMID: 15706480 Review.
-
[Deep-vein thrombosis and pulmonary embolism due to air travel].Ned Tijdschr Geneeskd. 2006 Nov 11;150(45):2474-8. Ned Tijdschr Geneeskd. 2006. PMID: 17137092 Review. Dutch.
Cited by
-
The absolute risk of venous thrombosis after air travel: a cohort study of 8,755 employees of international organisations.PLoS Med. 2007 Sep;4(9):e290. doi: 10.1371/journal.pmed.0040290. PLoS Med. 2007. PMID: 17896862 Free PMC article.
-
A man who collapsed after using the internet.JRSM Open. 2014 Aug 11;5(9):2054270414543397. doi: 10.1177/2054270414543397. eCollection 2014 Sep. JRSM Open. 2014. PMID: 25352993 Free PMC article.
-
Jobs encompassing prolonged sitting in cramped positions and risk of venous thromboembolism: cohort study.JRSM Short Rep. 2012 Feb;3(2):8. doi: 10.1258/shorts.2011.011121. Epub 2012 Feb 14. JRSM Short Rep. 2012. PMID: 22393469 Free PMC article.
-
Prolonged work- and computer-related seated immobility and risk of venous thromboembolism.J R Soc Med. 2010 Nov;103(11):447-54. doi: 10.1258/jrsm.2010.100155. J R Soc Med. 2010. PMID: 21037335 Free PMC article.
-
COVID-19, long flights, and deep vein thrombosis: What we know so far.Cardiol J. 2021;28(6):941-953. doi: 10.5603/CJ.a2021.0086. Epub 2021 Aug 6. Cardiol J. 2021. PMID: 34355776 Free PMC article.
Publication types
MeSH terms
Substances
LinkOut - more resources
Full Text Sources
Medical
Research Materials
Miscellaneous