New Study Confuses

A new study -- widely promoted, unlike most DVT news it seems -- suggests that the previously assumed link between air quality in planes and DVT may not exist.

This new study, from University of Leicester in the UK, concluded that airline cabin pressure does not increase likelihood of blood clotting (as measured by the presence of four markers in the blood that are early signs of clotting). Their theory is that lack of movement alone is the culprit in so-called "Economy Class Syndrome."

The Leicester study conflicts directly with a recent study from Leiden University in the Netherlands, which showed that clotting factors increased significantly more after eight hours of plane travel versus eight hours in a cinema seat. The Leiden study showed marked differences that appeared to be attributable only to the environment inside of planes.

Curiously, neither study mentioned a connection between air quality and dehydration -- which itself is a link in clotting risk.

On the plus side, both sides appear to view the conflicting data as cause for further (and more refined) investigation. In the meantime, the advice for air travelers remains the same: stay hydrated, and move around at least once an hour. (Based on personal experience, I would strongly suggest compression stockings and Gatorade instead of water as well!)

Here is a link to one article with coverage of these two research studies:

What Causes Blod Clots on Long Haul Flights?

Compression Stockings Reduce DVT Risk to 1/10 of Norm

More news about compression stockings -- the easiest way for any person at high risk of DVT to seriously cut their risk while traveling by air.

UK-based Cochrane Library reports that DVT risk can be reduced by wearing compression hose to as little as 1/10 of that experienced without the stockings, based on its research study of 2,800 people, according to the Toronto Sun.

Compression Stockings Cut Long-Haul Flight DVT Risk to 1/10th

DVT and the Flu

I just read a second article out of the UK on this subject (no link because unfortunately the article from the Dialy Mail is apparently not available for free).

The author, a journalist in London (and mother of a 7-year-old), developed a groin DVT after a bout with the flu. She spent 36-hours in bed after "being hit with a steam train" by the flu -- so sick she felt she couldn't lift her head, much less get out of bed to get the fluids she knew she should be drinking.

A day later, she felt what she thought was a "groin pull" triggered by jogging earlier in the week.

Long story short: when she went to the doctor a few days later, a DVT (happily still very small) was detected.

The point of her article: any time you have extended immobility, there is a risk of DVT. Often there are no symptoms until the clot is very advanced. Yet another reason to drink plenty of fluids when recovering from flu, and to try to get out of bed and move at least a bit each hour.

Related links:

Infections Raise Risk of Deep Vein Thrombosis

Help MedicAlert! Annual Auction Through May

The MedicAlert auction has begun! If you didn't have a chance to donate any items, then consider buying something to support this vital organization.

Countless DVT patients on Coumadin (warfarin) are protected by MedicAlert identification and their patient database. Their good works are not-for-profit, and supported by the MedicAlert foundation. The auction features some amazing sports memorabilia (fabulous stuff like Michael Jordan autographed official Bulls Jersey, Tiger Woods autographed photo, autographed Wayne Gretzky and Mark Messier photo, and so much more!), autographed books (Harley Jane Kozak, Blaze Clement, etc), autographed Hollywood collectibles (Robin Williams autographed script, autographed photos from John Travolta, Robert Duvall, and more, plus many other Hollywood items), admissions to Six Flags, Sea World and more, and dozens of other art objects and other items!

It's a great place to shop for Mother's Day, Father's Day, or a special birthday, and find a gift that also benefits an organization so many of us rely on.

To check out the auction, click here.

Shock Value

Obviously, I have become deeply sensitized to the risk factors for and dangers of DVT. Yet, today I stumbled upon a DVT story today that was alarming even to me.

It's a potent reminder of the significant risk that women on HRT or oral contraceptives face for DVT -- a risk that is woefully under-reported by the US press.

Read this story -- from a woman whose DVT eventually required amputation of her leg. Note, though, that the advice accompanying it in the sidebar is a bit out of date. Experts today don't believe that aspirin makes a difference in preventing DVT (it's only functional for arterial clotting), and those really on the cutting edge of DVT research have found that drinking plain water actually can contribute to dehydration (sports drinks are best -- combining water with salty snacks is next best, although quite inferior).

This is a frightening story, but an important alarm bell for women on the pill or estrogen therapy!

"I Lost My Leg to DVT"

Computing and DVT

I've been reading more and more articles (mostly from the UK and Australia -- where most of the best DVT reporting is coming from in my opinion) about DVT risk among computer programmers, engineers, video editors, and others who spend long hours of time sitting in one place for their work.

What concerns me most about this is that so many people believe that they are not at risk because they work out seriously every day. The problem is, this one burst of intense activity doesn't keep the blood flowing when that workout comes before or after a four, five, six or more hour stretch of uninterrupted work at a desk. (Getting up every hour for a few minutes of walking, stretching and drinking water is likely to be much more effective at protecting you from a DVT -- whether or not you have that major workout.)

In fact, some of the forum posts on this subject are so arrogant as to be really scary.

I've already posted some material on the DVT risk that endurance athletes face. Combining intensive training with a desk-bound job with few breaks may actually be the highest risk mix.

Here's today's article from the Daily Mail. A few past articles include this one from Australia's The Age and this one from Ergoweb.