Post Date April, 15 2023
I often encounter foreigners from embassies in China who require heparin (an anticoagulant) to be prescribed. It turned out that when they flew home, they received a subcutaneous injection of heparin to prevent deep venous thrombosis in their lower limbs during a ten hour long flight.
This type of deep venous thrombosis has a popular name called "economy class syndrome".
Why is it called "economy class syndrome"?
Due to the narrow spacing between the front and rear rows of the economy class, the muscles in the passenger's legs remain motionless for a long time, and some platelets and red blood cells in the leg veins no longer flow upward, but slowly deposit, causing a blood clot to form. After disembarking from the plane, as soon as the leg muscles move, the blood clots fall off. "The blood clot travels all the way down the inferior vena cava to the pulmonary artery, where it is stuck at the bifurcation of the pulmonary artery, causing life-threatening events such as hypoxia, dyspnea, and fainting.".
Anticoagulation is the most basic and important treatment for deep venous thrombosis. In order to prevent the formation of venous thrombosis during prolonged flight, it is recommended that high-risk patients should consider injecting or taking oral anticoagulants as instructed by a doctor before flying.
In addition, increasing exercise can effectively prevent deep vein thrombosis and promote blood circulation.
Tips
Prevention of venous thrombosis: take one action in 90 minutes
Sit down soon. After sitting for more than 90 minutes, you should stand up and stretch your legs. "Because every hour of sitting still increases the risk of developing deep vein thrombosis by 10%, sitting for 90 minutes can reduce blood circulation in your knees by 50%.".
Get out of bed early. After surgery, patients should be encouraged to get out of bed as soon as possible to prevent postoperative deep vein thrombosis.
Drink more water. Drinking more water can reduce blood viscosity and increase blood flow speed.
