Collaboration

Doctors Unite to create Awarness on DVT

Establishing the fact that DVT is a major killer, the group presented the findings of the PROVE study

A group of doctors across specialities came together recently on the advent of World Deep Vein Thrombosis (DVT) month. Establishing the fact that DVT is a major killer at hospitals, the group presented the findings of the Prospective Registry On Venous thromboembolic Events (PROVE) study.

The PROVE registry is a multi-national, multi-center, observational study, involving 254 centers in 19 countries, including India. The objective of the study was to understand the type of thromboprophylaxis (preventive care) received by patients. The PROVE study establishes that while patients in India have similar clinical risk profiles as compared to the rest of the population (19 countries), fewer patients received prior thromboprophylaxis (preventive care), seven per cent as compared to 19 per cent.

A part of the PROVE investigation team, Dr RK Pinjala, Professor and HOD, Vascular Surgery, Nizam Institute of Medical Sciences, Hyderabad, said, "In the Western countries, Venous Thromboembolism is well documented and proved to be a major health concern. Therefore, in many major surgeries, especially orthopaedic surgery, prophylaxis for DVT is now routine. In contrast, the Indian scenario is such that many believe the incidence of DVT in patients is low, and thrombo-prophylaxis is not routine in even high-risk patients. More alarming is the low penetration of thrornboprophylactic agents even in tertiary care institutions."

Dr Abhay Bhave, Consultant Haematologist, Lilavati Hospital, Mumbai, said, "Individuals need to be informed about simple lifestyle changes and other effective preventive measures that can reduce the risk of VTE. Decision-makers and stakeholders in the healthcare sector should be aware of the health and cost benefits of VTE prevention and make it a public health priority." Certain individuals may be at increased risk for developing DVT, however, the condition is preventable. Some of the risk factors are restricted mobility (especially post operations or long flights), cancer, infectious diseases, certain heart or respiratory diseases, major surgery, such as hip or knee replacements, advanced age, oral contraceptives or hormone therapy.

DVT is a condition in which a blood clot forms in the deep veins, usually in the legs. This condition can be fatal if a part of the clot breaks off and blocks blood vessels in the lungs, a condition called pulmonary embolism. The symptoms of DVT are rarely recognisable and often goes undetected. Almost 50-60 per cent of DVT cases do not show any visible symptoms and hence are commonly referred to as the 'silent killers'. Pulmonary embolism is responsible for about 5-10 per cent of all 'in-hospital' deaths.

However, studies have shown that hospital mortality due to untreated pulmonary embolism can be reduced from 30 to nearly eight per cent if treated appropriately. Most of the deaths occur when the diagnosis is delayed or never made.

EH News Bureau