Do compression stockings prevent blood clots on long flights?

Bottom Line

There is high-certainty evidence that airline passengers similar to those in this review can expect a substantial reduction in the incidence of symptomless deep vein thrombosis (DVT) and low-certainty evidence that leg oedema is reduced if they wear compression stockings. Fifty of 2637 participants with follow-up data available in the trials of wearing compression stockings on both legs had a symptomless DVT; three wore stockings, 47 did not (odds ratio (OR) 0.10, 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.04 to 0.25, P < 0.001; high-certainty evidence). (S1)

Cochrane (2021) rated this evidence high certainty.

The registry also contains 1 later systematic review or guideline on this question (2022). It is not summarised here; see the full list in Research Rail.

Sources

1. S1 Compression stockings for preventing deep vein thrombosis in airline passengers. Clarke MJ, Broderick C, Hopewell S et al. · 2021 Apr 20 · The Cochrane database of systematic reviews · Systematic review / meta-analysis

This report screened 21 research or guidance records; the full list is available in Research Rail.