Travelers thrombosis stand at Verona Airport

Proposers:
Prof. Nicola Martinelli, Director of the School of Specialization of Emergency Medicine at the University of Verona and contact person for the Coagulation and Thrombosis group of General Medicine B of the Polyclinic “GB. Rossi” of Verona

Event rationale:
Air travel, especially for particularly long routes (e.g. intercontinental travel), can be associated with venous thromboembolism events. The increase in the incidence of such events, especially related to the immobility of the lower limbs that favors venous stasis with consequent risk of deep vein thrombosis, is however limited in magnitude. However, not infrequently the fear generated by the risk of venous thromboembolism can lead on the occasion of air travel to improper practices, including the autonomous and inappropriate intake of drugs with anticoagulant (ex: low molecular weight heparins) or antiplatelet action (ex: aspirin) for which there is currently no clear medical and scientific evidence to justify its use and which may instead expose to the risk of potentially even dangerous side effects. Furthermore, it is sometimes forgotten how simple and correct behaviors, such as regular mobilization and adequate hydration, can allow to travel in reasonable safety without resorting to inappropriate drug intake with the consequent risk of side effects.

Event objectives:
(i) Inform travellers of the frequency of venous thromboembolism during air travel and of the real medical and scientific evidence for its prevention.
(ii) Provide a little practical guidance on what to do and what not to do to reduce the risk of deep vein thrombosis when traveling by air.

Event mode:
In the departures area of Verona airport on 13 October 2025, World Thrombosis Day, an exhibition stand will be equipped with brochures, posters and a screen where a short multimedia presentation will be projected in a cyclical manner (a version in Italian and a version in English) which will illustrate in approximately 5 minutes the main clinical-epidemiological characteristics and procedures for correct prevention of traveler’s thrombosis.

At least two doctors will be present at the stand to answer any questions and delve deeper into the different aspects of the traveler’s thrombosis (in Italian or English).

In the stand, multilingual (in Italian, English, Spanish, German, French, Chinese and Arabic) information leaflets on the traveler’s thrombosis will also be available to the public.

The event has the patronage of the University of Verona (Università di Verona) and the Integrated University Hospital of Verona (Azienda Ospedaliera Universitaria Integrata di Verona). Finally, it has the non-binding sponsorship of the company Viatris.