Had DVT And Superficial Clot After Flight, Wore Compression Stockings, Taken Aspirin Instead Of Clexane. Is It Okay?

Posted on Tue, 14 Aug 2012

Medically reviewed by Ask A Doctor - 24x7 Medical Review Team

Tue, 14 Aug 2012 Answered on

Thu, 6 Sep 2012 Last reviewed on

Question : I had a dvt in my left med gastroc vein close to the knee crease following a flight to Thailand from Australia in 2010, and a superficial clot in my left LSV just below the knee in 2011 following a return to Australia flight from Dubai. I had compression stockings and kept hydrated and walked around the plane as much as possible. My doctor recommended I take clexane when travelling after the 2010 trip but I just took aspirin for the 2011 trip as I was hoping that would be enough. As the 2011 thrombus was superficial do you think I could just take aspirin rather than clexane on a trip this September from Australia to London? (3 hour stopover in Dubai)
Many thanks,

Answered by Dr. Ketan Vagholkar (4 hours later)

Hi,
Thanks for writing in.
Since you have a tendency for XXXXXXX vein thrombosis I would suggest that you start a anticoagulant prophylactically to prevent recurrent episodes of DVT. The best medication would be warfarin tablets. You will have to start this under strict medical supervision as the therapeutic dose will be decided depending upon a titration process with an investigation called PT/INR. Clexane is ideal for bedridden patients while aspirin is ideal for prevention of arterial thrombosis.
I hope this answers your querry.
With regards

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar