As the world prepares to observe World Thrombosis Day on October 13, 2024, LeRoy Edozien, Dean of the Faculty of Health Law and Humanities at the University of Medical Sciences, Ondo State, has urged the Nigerian government and stakeholders to enhance awareness to reduce thrombosis-related deaths.
Prof. Edozien, a Convener of PROTRAIN, made this call in Asaba, emphasizing the dangers of thrombosis. “Thrombosis is a condition where a clot forms in a blood vessel. If this clot dislodges, it can travel to the heart and lungs, leading to severe consequences and often instant death,” he explained.
He noted that individuals who are obese, genetically predisposed, or immobile for extended periods, such as during long-distance travel or illness, are at higher risk. He shared alarming statistics regarding COVID-19, stating, “Some deaths were attributed to thrombosis, as the virus promotes clot formation in blood vessels. I know of two cases where individuals, recovering from COVID-19, died suddenly after getting out of bed.”
Edozien recounted other tragic cases, including a man who appeared to recover well from a road traffic accident but died unexpectedly and a doctor who died post-operation while recovering in the hospital. He explained that these instances are often linked to venous thromboembolism (VTE), a condition where a blood clot forms in a vein, potentially leading to pulmonary embolism (PE) if a piece of the clot breaks off.
“VTE can affect anyone, regardless of their health status. If the dislodged clot is large, it can cause instant death. Untreated cases have a mortality rate of 1 in 3, while treated cases have a significantly lower rate of 1 in 50,” he cautioned.
Edozien highlighted that VTE can occur not only after surgery but also due to prolonged immobilization, such as during long-distance travel or extended bed rest for chronic illness.
Globally, VTE often receives insufficient attention, leading to a regrettably high mortality rate. He stated, “The best treatment is prevention. This includes ambulation, hydration, use of compression stockings, and blood-thinning medications. These measures are effective but under-utilized.”
Edozien emphasized the importance of raising awareness about VTE in Nigeria, stating, “Together, we can create awareness, potentially saving lives—whether that of a parent, spouse, sibling, friend, or even yourself.”
He concluded that the first step in reducing thrombosis-related deaths is improving awareness, lamenting the current low level of understanding about VTE among health professionals and the general public in Nigeria.
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