Deep Vein Thrombosis and Flying - A Screening Test
The association between deep vein thrombosis (DVT) and flying has had wide press coverage recently. Economy seating has been blamed, but the culprit is really immobility for lengthy periods (more than eight hours). The condition is serious and potentially fatal. It is often asymptomatic and difficult to diagnose without specialised equipment.
It is little recognised that 10% of the population have an inherited predisposition to thrombosis. Recent advances in the technique of identifying genetic markers have enabled the development of a screening test which identifies the specific mutations giving rise to this predisposition. If these genetic mutations are present, effective prophylactic treatment can be given before travel.
It should be noted that the risk in a woman who has a general predisposition to thrombosis and is taking oral contraception or HRT is multiplied by a factor of 80.
We recommend that anybody embarking on long distance air travel, whether for pleasure or on business, should request a pre-travel screen. Of course, the screen can also be incorporated within an annual medical check-up.