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Deep vein thrombosis - prevention for travellers - Management
Basis for recommendation
Basis for recommending compression stockings
- The recommendation to offer stockings for people at relatively moderate or high risk of developing travel-related deep vein thrombosis (DVT) is based on expert opinion.
- There is no good evidence on the use of compression stockings to prevent symptomatic travel-related DVT.
Rationale for using compression stockings
- Compression stockings are thought to reduce the risk of deep vein thrombosis by [Clarke et al, 2006]:
- Exerting graduated pressure on the leg, with the pressure being greatest at the ankle. When combined with muscular activity in the limb, this is thought to displace blood from the superficial venous system to the deep venous system.
- This, in turn, reduces blood stasis that can lead to clotting and increases the velocity and volume of blood flow in the deep venous system, thereby potentially preventing thrombosis.
Varicose veins and increased risk of superficial thrombophlebitis
- There have been case reports of people with varicose veins developing superficial thrombophlebitis whilst wearing compression stockings during long-haul flights [Scurr et al, 2001].
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