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Deep vein thrombosis - prevention for travellers - Management
How should I assess the risk of travel-related DVT?

  • For continuous journeys lasting more than 6 hours, the risk of travel-related deep vein thrombosis (DVT) can be classed as:
    • Low risk if the person has:
      • No history of DVT or pulmonary embolism (PE), and
      • Not undergone surgery in the previous 4 weeks, and
      • No other risk factors to indicate moderate or high risk.
    • Moderate risk if the person:
      • Has a previous history of DVT or PE. However, people with a recent DVT (or PE) who are on anticoagulant treatment are considered to be at low risk.
      • Has undergone surgery under general anaesthesia lasting more than 30 minutes in the previous 2 months but not in the last 4 weeks.
      • Is pregnant or postpartum.
      • Has clinically evident cardiac disease (such as recent myocardial infarction, uncontrolled heart failure) or other major acute illness (such as pneumonia).
      • Is taking combined oral contraceptives or hormone replacement therapy.
      • Is obese (body mass index greater than 30 kg/m2).
      • Has varicose veins with phlebitis.
      • Has a family history of venous thromboembolism in a first degree relative.
      • Has polycythaemia.
      • Has a lower-limb fracture in plaster.
      • (The presence of multiple risk factors will further increase the risk of an individual developing travel-related DVT.)
    • High risk if the person:
      • Has undergone surgery under general anaesthesia lasting more than 30 minutes in the previous 4 weeks.
      • Has known thrombophilia.
      • Has cancer — untreated or currently on treatment.
  • The absolute risk of an individual developing a travel-related DVT remains low even if they are classed as being at relative moderate or high risk.

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