Position statement of the FAC Committee on Peripheral Vascular Disease and Stroke on the prevention of deep vein thrombosis in prolonged travel

Abstract

Deep vein thrombosis (DVT) and pulmonary embolism (PE) are the most common manifestations of venous thromboembolic disease (VTE). According to published data, VTE affects nearly 10 million people worldwide each year, contributing significantly to the global burden of disease. The pathophysiology of thrombosis is explained through Virchow's triad: presence of blood stasis, damage or dysfunction of the vascular wall, and hypercoagulability. Risk factors for developing DVT include prolonged travel, defined as trips lasting more than 4 hours, which is why VTE is often referred to as "economy class syndrome" or "traveler's thrombosis". However, it is worth noting that travel-related DVT is even more closely linked to people who have other risk factors for developing venous thrombosis. Thus, these individuals are grouped into low, medium/moderate and high risk, this categorization being very useful when deciding on the best therapeutic option.