Airline advice may not combat DVT

AIRLINES are giving out useless advice to passengers on how to prevent Deep Vein Thrombosis (DVT) on long-haul flights, a study at the University of Limerick has found.

The study was carried out at the Biomedical Electronics Laboratory, in collaboration with consultant vascular surgeon, Professor Pierce Grace at the Mid-Western Regional Hospital.

The study aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of 10 exercises recommended to passengers by 11 international airlines.

The findings suggest that at least half of the recommended exercises do not result in increased blood circulation in the lower leg and therefore do not decrease the risk of DVT.

Co-author of the study, Dr Gerard Lyons of UL, said their preliminary evaluation suggests that many of the exercises recommended by airlines fail to exercise these key muscles and may therefore not be beneficial in the prevention of DVT.”

Currently airlines provide information on a number of lower leg exercises recommended for decreasing the risk of DVT.

Dr Lyons said the results of their study warrant an examination of the exercises recommended to passengers on long distance flights to determine those which are most effective in enhancing venous circulation.