World Thrombosis Day 2020 was marked on October 13 all over the world. It focused attention on the often overlooked and misunderstood condition of thrombosis. The theme of this year is ‘Open your eyes to thrombosis.’ The World Thrombosis Day campaign aims to educate patients, caregivers and medical professionals about the early warning signs, the importance of screening upon hospital admission, prompt interventions and the optimal treatments.
Thrombosis is the formation of a blood clot in a blood vessel. The vessel may be any vein or artery as for example, in a deep vein thrombosis (venous) or a coronary artery (arterial). The clot itself is termed a thrombus. Once formed, a clot can slow or block normal blood flow, and even break loose and travel to an organ. A clot that travels to the circulation is called an embolism. The two broad classifications of thrombosis are venous and arterial, depending on whether the clot develops in the vein or an artery. Venous thromboembolism or VTE is a condition in which blood clots form most often in the deep veins of the leg, known as deep vein thrombosis or DVT, and can travel in the circulation and lodge in the lungs, known as pulmonary embolism or PE. Thrombosis can be prevented, and the first step toward prevention is an awareness of signs and symptoms.
Signs and symptoms
Deep Vein Trombosis (DVT) occurs when a blood clot forms in one of the deep veins of your body, usually in the legs, but sometimes in the arm. The signs and symptoms of a DVT include: Swelling, usually in one leg (or arm), leg pain or tenderness often described as a cramp , reddish or bluish skin discoloration, leg (or arm) warm to touch. These symptoms of a blood clot may feel similar to a pulled muscle or but may differ in that the leg (or arm) may be swollen, slightly discoloured, and warm.
Clots can break off from a DVT and travel to the lung, causing a pulmonary embolism (PE), which can be fatal. The signs and symptoms of a PE include: Sudden shortness of breath, chest pain-sharp, stabbing; may get worse with deep breath, rapid heart rate and unexplained cough and sometimes with bloody mucus.
Risk Factors
Thrombosis affects people of all ages, races and ethnicities, and occurs in both men and women. Certain factors and situations can increase the risk of developing potentially deadly blood clots. Resulting from prolonged immobilisation, it could occur after a long-distance journey (more than four hours by air or motor vehicle) or after a long period of bed rest in persons who are chronically ill. Being in the hospital for an extended period, having surgery (especially hip, knee and cancer-related surgery); age (60+), Family history of blood clots; cancer/chemotherapy, Using estrogen-based medication (oral contraceptives or hormone replacement therapy); obesity; pregnancy or recent birth; smoking, alcohol consumption are all risk factors.
Complications
Thrombosis is the often preventable underlying problems leading to heart attack, thromboembolic stroke, and venous thromboembolism (VTE), the top three cardiovascular killers. If you one has DVT, bits of the clot can break off and travel to the lungs, causing pulmonary embolism. This is life threatening. Thrombosis is a known complication among COVID-19 patients.
Diagnostic tests
The common investigations done to diagnosed thrombosis includes blood test called a D-Dimer , an ultrasound of the arm or leg to look for the DVT and a CT scan of the chest with to look for a pulmonary embolism
Treatment
DVT and PE are serious, life-threatening conditions that require immediate medical attention. Treatment can differ by patient but typically includes blood thinning medication to break up clots and prevent new ones from forming. Depending on specific conditions, a patient might need:
Anticoagulants (e.g., injectables or the tablets)
Mechanical devices (e.g., compression stockings which may decrease the risk of long term problems that can be caused from having clots)
Thrombolytic therapy (e.g., Tissue plasminogen activator)
Preventions
The usual ways to reduce your risk of thrombosis are; to quitting smoking, cutting down on alcohol, losing weight if need be, doing exercise regularly, eating healthy foods-fruits, vegetables and reducing fatty and high caloric meal. Some people are advised to wear compression stockings, especially on long flights and after surgery. Hospital patients may also be instructed to move around or do foot/leg exercises as soon and as often as possible.
Individuals who are deemed ‘at-risk’ should be given appropriate prevention (referred to as “prophylaxis”), which can include: blood thinners, referred to as “anticoagulants.” Some are advised to take a low dose of aspirin each day to thin their blood. Doctors might also recommend medicines to reduce your cholesterol and blood pressure.
END
Be the first to comment