What Is Thrombosis?

WORLD THROMBOSIS DAY

Thirteenth October is celebrated worldwide as the World Thrombosis day. The International Society on Thrombosis and Haemostasis started this campaign from 2014. The aim is to create awareness about disorders of thrombosis (clotting).

What is thrombosis?

Thrombosis is local coagulation or clotting of the blood in a part of the circulatory system. This reduces or shuts the blood flow causing symptoms of thrombosis.

What are the disorders caused by thrombosis?

The disorders caused by thrombosis depend on the site of thrombosis. The common disorders are:

Stroke (Brain attack), Heart attack, Deep Vein thrombosis, Retinal vein and artery thrombosis, Pulmonary thromboembolism, Renal vein or artery thrombosis, Portal vein thrombosis, Mesentric Vein thrombosis.

What are the common risk factors for thrombosis?

Immobility, Obesity, Hospitalization, Surgery, Cancers, Previous thrombosis, pregnancy, smoking, consumption of some mediations, dyslipidemia etc. are the common risk factors associated with thrombosis. There are also genetic risk factors causing thrombosis.

What are the common tests done during the evaluation of thrombosis?

The tests done for the evaluation of thrombosis depend on the site of thrombosis. Doppler scans, CT scans, CT angiography, MR angiography are the common tests to diagnose the site of thrombosis. Sometimes, scans are also done to see whether a part of the thrombus have migrated (embolised) to other body part. Blood tests are also done to assess the clotting system and to monitor the effects of drugs given for thrombosis. Tests to rule out the genetic risk factors are also recommended as per the clinical scenario.

What are the common medicines used in thrombosis?

Medicines commonly used in the treatment of thrombosis are Heparin, Warfarin and newer drugs like Dabigatran, Rivaroxaban etc. Patients are also prescribed medicines to treat the risk factors for thrombosis like statins, antihypertensives and medications for diabetes.

Can thrombosis be prevented?

Yes, thrombosis can be prevented with the help of preventive measures and medications.

What is the aim of World Thrombosis Day Campaign?

The purpose of this campaign is to create awareness about this deadly disease. The campaign aims at:

1)highlighting the burden of disease and the need of action.

2)increasing public awareness of the risk factors, symptoms and signs of thrombosis

3)empowering healthcare seekers to talk to healthcare providers about the disease

4)stimulating people to advocate systems of care to prevent, diagnose and treat venous thrombosis and atrial fibrillation.

Why 13th October?

The world thrombosis day is celebrated on the 13th October which is the birthday of Rudolf Virchow who first penned down the pathogenesis of thrombosis. To salute this great personality, we celebrate his birthday as the World thrombosis day.

Kindly talk to your doctor for information on risk factors of thrombosis.