Dr Arvind Kohli
The purpose of World Thrombosis Day is to increase awareness as well as the prevention and diagnosis of thrombotic conditions. This is the global campaign of the International Society on Thrombosis and Hemostasis.the goal of this organization is to raise awareness of risk factors, signs and symptoms and educate the community to urge everyone to Move Against Thrombosis! October 13 is dedicated to the the birthday of Rudolf Virchow, pioneer in the pathophysiology of thrombosis.
World Thrombosis Day
WHAT IS THROMBOSIS?
Thrombosis is the formation of a blood clot inside the blood vessel resulting in obstruction of blood flow via the circulatory system. When a blood vessel is damaged or injured, the system makes use of platelets and fibrin to form a blood clot to avert blood loss. Sometimes, without any injury, blood clots may develop in the body under certain medical problems. Thrombosis is usually characterized by the type of blood vessels involved and the exact location or the organ supplied by it. Deep vein thrombosis is the formation of a blood clot within a deep vein. Venous thromboembolism (VTE), with a reported annual incidence of 0.7-2.69 per thousand, has a high recurrence rate, negative impact on survival, and incurs high healthcare costs. Arterial thrombosis constituting ischemic heart disease and stroke is responsible for one in four deaths worldwide which is more than the fatality caused by breast cancer, prostate cancer, and bike accidents.
Early diagnosis and appropriate treatment can help save the lives of the sufferers. . Also, this year’s theme motivates people to know more about this disorder so that patients can receive the right treatment within an appropriate time to effectively manage this condition. .
Why is there limited awareness about blood clots?
Many people do not know much about blood clots and are not familiar with the signs and symptoms until it happens to them or someone they know. In addition, the signs and symptoms of a DVT and PE are similar to other health problems and can be misdiagnosed as other health conditions. A misdiagnosis can lead to delayed treatment of a DVT, resulting in a PE or even death. Understanding risk for a blood clot and the signs and symptoms can help patient seek treatment at the earliest sign of a blood clot to prevent any complication.
Who is at risk for a blood clot Blood clots can affect anyone at any age, but certain risk factors, such as surgery, hospitalization,prolonged immobilisation pregnancy, cancer and some types of cancer treatments can increase risks. In addition, a family history of blood clots can increase a person’s risk. Medical diseases which affect blood rheology are important causes
Stroke, a major complication becoz of thrombosis is rapidly developed clinical signs of focal(or global) disturbance of cerebral function, lasting more than 24 hours or leading to death, with no apparent cause other than of vascular origin
It is responsible for 3.5% of disability adjusted life year (DALY) in India.Apart from risk factors like hypertension, diabetes, heart diseases and positive family history, other lifestyle related factors such as unhealthy diet, obesity, lack of physical activity, stress and tobacco use account for its occurrence. .
Presenting features of stroke are Sudden numbness or weakness in the face, arm, or leg, especially on one side of the body . Sudden confusion, trouble speaking, or difficulty understanding speech” Sudden trouble seeing in one or both eyes” Sudden trouble walking, dizziness, loss of balance, or lack of coordination” Impairment or loss of consciousness”
Acute Coronary event(Heart Attack) acute coronary syndromes (ACS), an umbrella term for situations in which blood supplied to the heart muscle is suddenly blocked. due to a blood clot and can be sudden.
If a clot forms due to a plaque rupture, a part of the clot may break away and clog one of the coronary arteries causing ACS. Though less common, spasms in the coronary artery may also limit blood flow. Regardless of the cause of the blockage, it’s damaging to the heart and a medical emergency. Take note of these common signs of an acute coronary syndrome:Chest pain or discomfort, which may involve pressure, tightness or fullness Pain or discomfort in one or both arms, the jaw, neck, back or stomach Shortness of breath Feeling dizzy or lightheaded Nausea Sweating
Deep Vein Thrombosis When a blood clot develops within a deep vein in the body, it is known as deep vein thrombosis or DVT. It can affect people of any age, but the risk of DVT increases with age. Forty percent of DVTs develop into a potentially deadly pulmonary embolism (PE). These two conditions collectively are known as venous thromboembolism, or VTE.
Fatal PE is the most dramatic effect of VTE and remains the most common preventable cause of death in hospitalized patients. The best strategy is prevention by adequate prophylaxis for VTE. Early detection is essential for improved out come and requires a high degree of suspicion, when patients have: Unexplained tachycardia Unexplained fever Chest pain Dyspnea Hemoptysis Treatment of PE is decided by the cardiovascular status of the patient. .
LEG ATTACK While most understand the severity of heart attacks, few are aware of the condition of leg attacks. even though the disease affects about 10million Indians every year. Leg attacks are also known as Peripheral Arterial Disease (PAD) and is a condition in which plaque builds up in the arteries that carry blood to the limbs. Hence to prevent PAD or improve symptoms of PAD.its important to get plenty of physical activity
DIAGNOSIS The diagnosis of clot in vascular system is generally based upon clinical history ,timing of the event along with the available biochemical and radiology imaging
D-dimer assessment Plasma D-dimers are derivatives of fibrin degradation products and are found to be raised in patients with thromboembolism. .
Duplex ultrasonography also called Doppler test It is cheap, easily available, and non-invasive.and most valuable in diagnosis of clots
Computerized tomography (CT) pulmonary angiography is the most useful test for detecting a pulmonary embolus. It can be combined with CT venography as a single scan to diagnose both PE and DVT
.Carotid and brain CT angio scans and Coronary imaging are most important for assessment and diagnosis of stroke and myocardial events
World Thrombosis Day Campaign World Thrombosis Day is your chance to make a real difference in the fight against thrombosis, a leading cause of death and disability worldwide. Whether you’re a patient, caregiver, healthcare team, or policymaker, your actions can raise awareness, improve prevention, and support those affected. .
Take Action. Here are easy ways to Move Against Thrombosis.
* Walk regularly people should get up and walk regularly which is a move to increase blood circulation, which can help lower the risk of blood clots.
* Promote Healthy Lifestyle Choices: Engage in regular physical activity, maintain a healthy weight, and avoid prolonged immobility, which are key preventive measures to reduce your risk. Sedentary lifestyles and the consumption of low-nutrient foods also contribute to the escalating number of cases.
* Educate Yourself and Others: Learn about the signs, symptoms, and risk factors of blood clots (deep vein thrombosis and pulmonary embolism) and share this knowledge with others.
* Stay active and hydrated: Staying immobile for a long period of time can increase the risk of thrombosis , so keep yourself active and have plenty of water to prevent dehydration which can cause blood thickening and clot formation
* Shun smoking as smoking constricts the blood vessels which increases the risk of developing blood clot
* Precautions When Traveling On longer flight journeys of more than 4 hours, get up and move around. Also, use the time to walk and stretch between connecting flights. While traveling by car on a longer trip, take a short break, stop when you can walk around.
(The author is Cardio Thoracic & Vascular Surgeon SVMM hospital)
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