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Prevention of Venous Thrombosis in Long-Haul Flights with Flite Tabs: The LONFLIT-FLITE Randomized, Controlled Trial

G. Belcaro, PhD

A.N. Nicolaides, MS

A. Ricci, MD

G. Geroulakos, PhD

E. Ippolito, MD

R. Brandolini, MD

G. Vinciguerra, PhD

M. Dugall, MD

M. Griffin, PhD

I. Ruffini, MD

G. Acerbi, MD

M. Corsi, MD

N.H. Riordan, MS

S. Stuard, MD

P. Bavera, MD

A. Di Renzo, MD

J. Kenyon, MD

B.M. Errichi, MD

The aim of this study was to evaluate the development of edema, and superficial and deep vein thrombosis (DVT) prophylaxis with an oral profibrinolytic agent (Flite Tabs, 150 mg pinokinase, Aidan, Tempe, AZ, USA) in long-haul flights (7-8 hours), in high-risk subjects. A group of 300 subjects was included; 76 were excluded for several problems including concomitant treat ments ; 204 were randomized into 2 groups (active treatment or placebo) to evaluate the effects of prophylaxis with Flite Tabs. An exercise program was used in both groups. The femoral, popliteal, tibial, and superficial veins were scanned with ultrasound before and within 90 minutes after flights. Of the included subjects, 92 of 103 controls and 94 of 101 treated subjects completed the study. Dropouts were due to connection problems. Age, gender, and risk distribution were comparable in the groups. In the treatment group, no DVT was observed. In the control group, 5 subjects (5.4%) had a DVT and there were 2 superficial thromboses (7 events in 92 subjects; 7.6%). At inclusion, edema was comparable in the 2 groups. After flights there was an increase in score in controls (+12%) in comparison with a decrease (-15%) in the Flite Tabs group (the difference in variation was statistically significant). Intention-to-treat analysis for thrombotic events shows 18 failures in controls (11 lost to follow-up + 7 throm botic events) of 92 subjects (19.6%) in comparison with 7 failures (of 94 subjects, equivalent to 7.4%) in the treatment group (p<0.05). Events were asymptomatic. In conclusion, Flite Tabs were effective in reducing thrombotic events and in controlling edema in high-risk subjects in long flights.

Angiology, Vol. 54, No. 5, 531-539 (2003)
DOI: 10.1177/000331970305400502


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