Don decries low awareness of thrombosis in Nigeria

As the world marks World Thrombosis Day on October 13, 2024, the Dean, Faculty of Health Law and Humanities University of Medical Sciences, Ondo State, LeRoy Edozien, has called on government at all levels and stakeholders to create more awareness in a bid to reduce the rate of death occasioned by the thrombosis.

Prof Edozien, who is a Convener of PROTRAIN, made the call on Friday in Asaba in his message to mark this year’s World Thrombosis Day.

He said, “Thrombosis is a condition in which a clot is formed in a blood vessel. If this clot is dislodged, it gets carried in the blood vessels to the heart and lungs, wreaking havoc and often causing instant death.

“The clot is more likely to happen in persons who are obese, or have a genetic predisposition, or have prolonged immobility due to illness or long-distance travel.

“Some COVID-19 deaths were due to thrombosis, as this disease promotes clot formation in the blood vessels. I know of two cases where the person was recovering well from COVID-19 but died suddenly when they got out of bed to use the toilet.

“A man admitted into hospital following a road traffic accident appeared to be making an excellent recovery. He was well-known locally and was chatting heartily with visitors one afternoon, but by dusk, he had died suddenly. I observed this as a medical student and was shocked. I have since encountered similar cases involving relatives and colleagues of mine.”

He noted that as a doctor recovering from an operation that went well died unexpectedly while in the hospital

“Another doctor died suddenly while recovering at home with one leg in an orthopaedic plaster. A woman recovering smoothly from a brain operation was about to be discharged home when she suddenly died.

A man collapses and dies suddenly a few hours after returning from a long-distance travel.

“The clinical explanation for these deaths is venous thromboembolism (VTE). This is a condition in which a blood clot (thrombosis) forms in a vein. A chunk of this clot may break off and be carried in the bloodstream to the lungs (this is called ‘pulmonary embolism’, PE). Immobilisation due to surgery or other medical conditions predisposes to clot formation.

“Obesity and genetic factors increase the risk, but VTE could happen to anybody. If the dislodged clot is large enough, it will cause instant death. If it isn’t, there may be time to treat PE. If untreated, death will occur in 1 in 3 cases; the death rate in treated cases is 1 in 50.

“It is not only after a surgical operation that VTE may occur. Resulting from prolonged immobilisation, it could occur after a long-distance travel (more than 4 hours by air or motor vehicle) or after a long period of bed rest in persons who are chronically ill.”

He pointed out that globally, venous thromboembolism (VTE) commands insufficient attention.

“This is regrettable because it carries a high mortality rate. The best treatment is prevention; this includes ambulation (get up and walk a bit), hydration (drink water), use of compression stockings, and blood-thinning tablets or injections. These measures are very effective but under-utilised.

“Let us start today to raise awareness of VTE among Nigerians. Together, we can generate swirls of awareness, and who knows, a life saved could be that of your parent, spouse, sibling, friend – or your own”

Edozien said the first step towards reducing the number of deaths from thromboembolism is awareness, lamenting that, unfortunately, awareness of VTE in Nigeria is low among health professionals and the public at large.