««Long Haul»» Flight and Deep Vein Thrombosis: a Model to Help Investigate the Benefit of Aspirin and Below-knee Compression Stockings

AbstractObjective to develop a model simulating factors of ««long haul»» flight to investigate the relationship with DVT. Materials and methods volunteers (19 males: 20 females) sat for 6 h in a warm (>25°C), dry environment, limited in movement, consuming alcohol (40 ml of 40% alcohol/hour) and salted foods (300 g). Half of the subjects received 150 mg aspirin and wore especially designed below-knee, compression stockings (Class 1 profile). Changes in full blood counts were recorded, and as an indication of DVT formation, plasma was analysed for D-dimer. Limb swelling was assessed from leg measurements. Results after 6 h, in controls, there were significant rises in platelet packing (Pctp <0.04), total platelet numbers (p<0.003) and total numbers of white blood cells (WBC'sp <0.001). With aspirin plus stockings, there were similar significant rises in total platelet numbers (p<0.002) and total WBC's (p<0.001). In both groups, significant rises were seen in all WBC types (except basophils). Wearing compression stockings prevented calf swelling seen in controls after 6 h (p