Thrombosis UK

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Thrombosis UK
Founded2002
Founder Beverley Hunt, Alan Moody
Registration no.1090540
FocusPrevention of venous thromboembolism
Area served
United Kingdom
ServicesCharitable services
Website thrombosisuk.org

Thrombosis UK (previously known as 'Lifeblood, the Thrombosis Charity') is a UK based charity whose stated mission is to increase awareness of thrombosis among the public and health professionals, and to raise research funds to improve patient care through improved prevention and treatment of venous thromboembolic disease.

Contents

The charity is governed by nine trustees and is supported by a multi-disciplinary group. Along with efforts to support research in thrombosis and to raise awareness through an annual "National Thrombosis Week", they campaign for governments in the UK to prioritise venous thromboembolism (VTE) prevention in the National Health Service ('Stop the Clots'). They also strive to improve the clinical diagnosis of venous thromboembolism in the community ('Spot the Clots'). [1] [2]

History

Thrombosis UK was founded in 2002 by Professor Beverley Hunt, Consultant Haematologist at Guy's and St Thomas' NHS Foundation Trust and Professor Alan Moody, Professor of Radiology at the University of Nottingham to address two important issues: improving medical and general knowledge of thrombosis, and raising funds for research into thrombosis. [3]

In 2003, the charity started campaigning to raise awareness. They founded the yearly National Thrombosis Week and provided evidence on several health select committees. [4] They also won the title of 'Health Charity of the Year' in 2010. [5] In the same year, Lifeblood published the results of a conducted survey which showed that there is a big education gap concerning hospital acquired blood clots. [6]

In 2010, on behalf of Lifeblood, Professor Hunt was included as a member of the guideline development group for the National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence (NICE) guidelines in which mandatory thrombosis risk assessment of all patients on admission was set as a must for all National Health Service (NHS) hospitals. [7] In 2011, Lifeblood continued political campaigning with the All Parliamentary Thrombosis Group and health professionals which led to the CQUIN VTE targets which mandate VTE risk assessment. [8] [9]

Campaigns

Stop the Clots

The 'Stop the Clots' campaign aims to ensure that every adult patient admitted to hospital across the UK receives a venous thromboembolism risk assessment and appropriate prophylaxis in line with national clinical guidelines (SIGN Clinical Guideline in Scotland, and NICE Clinical Guideline 92 in England, Wales and Northern Ireland). [10] The House of Commons welcomed the parliamentary launch of Lifeblood: The Thrombosis Charity and commended its campaign to Stop the Clots in 2003. [11]

Spot the Clots

The 'Spot the Clots' campaign is aimed at the community, hoping to improve education of health professionals and raise awareness of the general public about blood clots. [12] [13]

National Thrombosis Week

National Thrombosis Week is an annual awareness-raising campaign run by Lifeblood every spring. Campaigns were lauded by Parliament in 2006 and 2008. [4] [14]

Parliamentary testimony

Lifeblood provided both written and oral evidence on several Health Committees:

Recognition

In November 2007 the House of Commons congratulated Lifeblood in an early day motion for its work during the previous five years. [23] Lifeblood was also the winner of the Charity Awards 2010 in the category for Healthcare and Medical Research. [5]

Related Research Articles

Thrombosis Vascular disease caused by the formation of a blood clot inside a blood vessel

Thrombosis is the formation of a blood clot inside a blood vessel, obstructing the flow of blood through the circulatory system. When a blood vessel is injured, the body uses platelets (thrombocytes) and fibrin to form a blood clot to prevent blood loss. Even when a blood vessel is not injured, blood clots may form in the body under certain conditions. A clot, or a piece of the clot, that breaks free and begins to travel around the body is known as an embolus.

Pulmonary embolism Medical condition

Pulmonary embolism (PE) is a blockage of an artery in the lungs by a substance that has moved from elsewhere in the body through the bloodstream (embolism). Symptoms of a PE may include shortness of breath, chest pain particularly upon breathing in, and coughing up blood. Symptoms of a blood clot in the leg may also be present, such as a red, warm, swollen, and painful leg. Signs of a PE include low blood oxygen levels, rapid breathing, rapid heart rate, and sometimes a mild fever. Severe cases can lead to passing out, abnormally low blood pressure, obstructive shock, and sudden death.

Venous thrombosis Blood clot (thrombus) that forms within a vein

Venous thrombosis is thrombosis in a vein, caused by a thrombus. A common form of venous thrombosis is deep vein thrombosis (DVT), when a blood clot forms in the deep veins. If a thrombus breaks off (embolizes) and flows towards the lungs, it can become a pulmonary embolism (PE), a blood clot in the lungs. The conditions of DVT only, DVT with PE, and PE only are captured by the term venous thromboembolism (VTE).

Deep vein thrombosis Formation of a blood clot (thrombus) in a deep vein

Deep vein thrombosis (DVT) is the formation of a blood clot in a deep vein, most commonly in the legs or pelvis. A minority of DVTs occur in the arms. Symptoms can include pain, swelling, redness, and enlarged veins in the affected area, but some DVTs have no symptoms. The most common life-threatening concern with DVT is the potential for a clot to embolize, travel as an embolus through the right side of the heart, and become lodged in a pulmonary artery that supplies blood to the lungs. This is called a pulmonary embolism (PE). DVT and PE comprise the cardiovascular disease of venous thromboembolism (VTE). About two-thirds of VTE manifests as DVT only, with one-third manifesting as PE with or without DVT. The most frequent long-term DVT complication is post-thrombotic syndrome, which can cause pain, swelling, a sensation of heaviness, itching, and in severe cases, ulcers. Recurrent VTE occurs in about 30% of those in the ten years following an initial VTE.

Low-molecular-weight heparin (LMWH) is a class of anticoagulant medications. They are used in the prevention of blood clots and treatment of venous thromboembolism and in the treatment of myocardial infarction.

D-dimer is a fibrin degradation product, a small protein fragment present in the blood after a blood clot is degraded by fibrinolysis. It is so named because it contains two D fragments of the fibrin protein joined by a cross-link.

Thrombophilia Abnormality of blood coagulation

Thrombophilia is an abnormality of blood coagulation that increases the risk of thrombosis. Such abnormalities can be identified in 50% of people who have an episode of thrombosis that was not provoked by other causes. A significant proportion of the population has a detectable thrombophilic abnormality, but most of these develop thrombosis only in the presence of an additional risk factor.

Renal vein thrombosis Medical condition

Renal vein thrombosis (RVT) is the formation of a clot in the vein that drains blood from the kidneys, ultimately leading to a reduction in the drainage of one or both kidneys and the possible migration of the clot to other parts of the body. First described by German pathologist Friedrich Daniel von Recklinghausen in 1861, RVT most commonly affects two subpopulations: newly born infants with blood clotting abnormalities or dehydration and adults with nephrotic syndrome.

Dalteparin sodium Pharmaceutical drug

Dalteparin is a low molecular weight heparin. It is marketed as Fragmin. Like other low molecular weight heparins, dalteparin is used for prophylaxis or treatment of deep vein thrombosis and pulmonary embolism to reduce the risk of a stroke or heart attack. Dalteparin acts by potentiating the activity of antithrombin III, inhibiting formation of both Factor Xa and thrombin. It is normally administered by self-injection.

Compression stockings Compression garment

Compression stockings are a specialized hosiery designed to help prevent the occurrence of, and guard against further progression of, venous disorders such as edema, phlebitis and thrombosis. Compression stockings are elastic compression garments worn around the leg, compressing the limb. This reduces the diameter of distended veins and increases venous blood flow velocity and valve effectiveness. Compression therapy helps decrease venous pressure, prevents venous stasis and impairments of venous walls, and relieves heavy and aching legs.

Post-thrombotic syndrome Medical condition

Post-thrombotic syndrome (PTS), also called postphlebitic syndrome and venous stress disorder is a medical condition that may occur as a long-term complication of deep vein thrombosis (DVT).

The Surgical Care Improvement Project (SCIP) partnership is an American multi-year national campaign to substantially reduce surgical mortality and morbidity through collaborative efforts between healthcare organizations. The campaign began in August 2005 with the original goal of reducing the national incidence of surgical complications by 25% by the year 2010.

Hypercoagulability in pregnancy is the propensity of pregnant women to develop thrombosis. Pregnancy itself is a factor of hypercoagulability, as a physiologically adaptive mechanism to prevent post partum bleeding. However, when combined with an additional underlying hypercoagulable states, the risk of thrombosis or embolism may become substantial.

Venous stasis Medical condition

Venostasis, or venous stasis, is a condition of slow blood flow in the veins, usually of the legs.

Superficial thrombophlebitis Medical condition

Superficial thrombophlebitis is a thrombosis and inflammation of superficial veins which presents as a painful induration with erythema, often in a linear or branching configuration forming cords.

Ajay Kakkar, Baron Kakkar

Ajay Kumar Kakkar, Baron Kakkar, PC is professor of surgery at University College London.

BMI Healthcare Private healthcare provider

BMI Healthcare is an independent provider of private healthcare, offering treatment to private patients, medically insured patients, and NHS patients. As of 2019, it has 54 private hospitals and healthcare facilities across the UK, with headquarters in London. In December 2019, it was acquired by Circle Health.

Prothrombin G20210A is a genetic condition that increases the risk of blood clots including from deep vein thrombosis, and of pulmonary embolism. One copy of the mutation increases the risk of a blood clot from 1 in 1,000 per year to 2.5 in 1,000. Two copies increases the risk to up to 20 in 1,000 per year. Most people never develop a blood clot in their lifetimes.

Beverley Jane Hunt is professor of thrombosis and haemostasis at King's College, London, consultant in the departments of haematology, rheumatology and pathology and director of the Haemostasis Research Unit at Guy's and St Thomas' Foundation Trust, medical director of Thrombosis UK and previous president of Walthamstow Hall Old Girls Association. She was educated at Walthamstow Hall and University of Liverpool.

Thrombosis prevention Medical treatment

Thrombosis prevention or thromboprophylaxis is medical treatment to prevent the development of thrombosis in those considered at risk for developing thrombosis. Some people are at a higher risk for the formation of blood clots than others. Prevention measures or interventions are usually begun after surgery as people are at higher risk due to immobility.

References

  1. ↑ Smith, John P (20 June 2005). "Early day motion 373 – Preventing deaths from thrombosis". UK Parliament. Retrieved 6 August 2012.
  2. ↑ The Committee Office, House of Commons (11 March 2005). "Memorandum by Lifeblood: the Thrombosis Charity (VT 6) – House of Commons – Health – Minutes of Evidence". Publications.parliament.uk. Retrieved 6 August 2012.
  3. ↑ Beverley J. Hunt. "Why Lifeblood: The Thrombosis Charity was founded". Lifeblood, the Thrombosis Charity. Archived from the original on 18 June 2008. Retrieved 4 September 2012.
  4. 1 2 "Early day motion 2091 – NATIONAL THROMBOSIS WEEK 2006". UK Parliament. 3 April 2006. Retrieved 6 August 2012.
  5. 1 2 "Awards". Civil Society. Archived from the original on 7 August 2012. Retrieved 6 August 2012.
  6. ↑ "Patients in dark over blood clots – Health, News". Belfasttelegraph.co.uk. 13 April 2010. Retrieved 6 August 2012.
  7. ↑ "All hospital patients 'to be checked for risk of potentially fatal blood clot'". The Telegraph. London. Archived from the original on 29 January 2010. Retrieved 6 August 2012.
  8. ↑ "Failure to spot blood clots costs the NHS millions". The Telegraph. London. 10 May 2011. Archived from the original on 13 May 2011. Retrieved 6 August 2012.
  9. ↑ Roberts, Michelle (10 May 2011). "NHS 'failure' to spot blood clots costing millions". BBC News. Retrieved 4 September 2012.
  10. ↑ "Lifeblood – The Thrombosis Charity". NHS, Isle of Wight. Archived from the original on 30 November 2010. Retrieved 6 August 2012.
  11. ↑ "Early day motion 304 – LIFEBLOOD: THE THROMBOSIS CHARITY". UK Parliament. Retrieved 6 August 2012.
  12. ↑ "Venous thromboembolism". Royal College of Nursing. Retrieved 4 September 2012.
  13. ↑ "Mission Statement". Lifeblood, the Thrombosis Charity. Archived from the original on 18 June 2008. Retrieved 4 September 2012.
  14. ↑ "Early day motion 1566 – NATIONAL THROMBOSIS WEEK". UK Parliament. 14 May 2008. Retrieved 6 August 2012.
  15. ↑ The Committee Office, House of Commons. "House of Commons – Health – Minutes of Evidence". Publications.parliament.uk. Retrieved 6 August 2012.
  16. ↑ The Committee Office, House of Commons. "House of Commons – Health – Second Report". Publications.parliament.uk. Retrieved 6 August 2012.
  17. ↑ The Committee Office, House of Commons. "House of Commons – Health – Second Report". Publications.parliament.uk. Retrieved 6 August 2012.
  18. ↑ The Committee Office, House of Commons (17 May 2007). "House of Commons – Health – Written Evidence". Publications.parliament.uk. Retrieved 6 August 2012.
  19. ↑ "The House of Commons – Health Reports". Publications.parliament.uk. Retrieved 3 September 2012.
  20. ↑ The Committee Office, House of Commons (30 October 2008). "House of Commons – Health – Written Evidence". Publications.parliament.uk. Retrieved 6 August 2012.
  21. ↑ The Committee Office, House of Commons. "House of Commons – Health Committee – Written Evidence". Publications.parliament.uk. Retrieved 6 August 2012.
  22. ↑ "Consultation response VTE – Dr. Simon Noble" Wales Assembly. (PDF).
  23. ↑ Smith, John P (27 November 2007). "Early day motion 413 – LIFEBLOOD THROMBOSIS CHARITY – UK Parliament". Parliament.uk. Retrieved 6 August 2012.
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