Title
Fluid loss does not explain coagulation activation during air travel
Author
Schreijer, A.J.M.
Cannegieter, S.C.
Caramella, M.
Meijers, J.C.M.
Krediet, R.T.
Simons, M.
Rosendaal, F.R.
TNO Defensie en Veiligheid
Publication year
2008
Abstract
The mechanism of air travel-related venous thrombosis is unclear. Although immobility plays a pivotal role, other factors such as fluid loss may contribute. We investigated whether fluid loss occurred more in individuals with coagulation activation after air travel than in subjects without. As a secondary aim, we investigated whether fluid loss per se occurred during air travel. In this crossover study, 71 healthy volunteers were exposed to eight hours of air travel, eight hours immobilization in a cinema, and a daily-life control situation. Markers of fluid loss (haematocrit, serum osmolality and albumin) and of coagulation activation were measured before and after each exposure. The study included 11 volunteers with and 55 volunteers without coagulation activation during the flight. The change in parameters of fluid loss was not different in volunteers with an activated clotting system from those without (difference between groups in haematocrit: -0.6%, 95% confidence interval [CI]: -1.9 to 0.6). On a group level, mean haematocrit values decreased during all three exposures. However, in some individuals it increased, which occurred in more participants during the flight (34%; 95% CI 22 to 46) than during the daily-life situation (19%; 95% CI 10 to 28). These findings do not support the hypothesis that fluid loss contributes to thrombus formation during air travel. © 2008 Schattauer GmbH.
Subject
Biology
Air travel
Dehydration
Fluid loss
Hypercoagulability
Venous thrombosis
Serum albumin
Aviation
Blood clotting
Daily life activity
Dehydration
Female
Hematocrit
Human
Immobilization
Male
Priority journal
Serum osmolality
Activities of Daily Living
Adult
Aircraft
Antithrombin III
Blood Coagulation
Cross-Over Studies
Dehydration
Drinking
Fibrin Fibrinogen Degradation Products
Hematocrit
Immobilization
Male
Osmolar Concentration
Peptide Fragments
Peptide Hydrolases
Prothrombin
Risk Factors
Serum Albumin
Travel
Venous Thrombosis
Water-Electrolyte Balance
Seasickness
Motion sickness
Drugs
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DOI
https://doi.org/10.1160/th07-11-0681
TNO identifier
23561
Source
Thrombosis and Haemostasis, 99 (6), 1053-1059
Document type
article