Deep venous thrombosis after air travel

While the link between travel and deep vein thrombosis (DVT) or venous thromboembolism (VTE) was recorded in 1954, travel risks and aetiology have not been resolved. Debate continues, although a significant link has been considered for many years. A consensus meeting convened by the World Health Organization (WHO) in 2002 concluded that there was probably a link, although the incidence of DVT/VTE was considered low and mainly occurred in travellers with additional risk factors for DVT. More recently a positive correlation between multiple long-distance air flights and DVT/VTE, even in individuals with low to moderate risk factors for disease, has been established.