March Is DVT Awareness Month

DVT Awareness

March is designated DVT Awareness Month. The ACCP supports the Coalition to Prevent DVT in raising awareness of this commonly occurring medical condition and its potentially fatal complication, pulmonary embolism. ACCP members and their institutions are encouraged to organize activities at the local level to observe the month.

The ACCP continues to assist with the reduction of DVT prevalence through a variety of approaches. Click on the tabs above to find out more.

Facts

WHAT IS DVT?

Deep vein thrombosis, also known as DVT, is a potentially fatal condition that affects up to 2 million people each year in the United States. DVT results from the formation of blood clots, most commonly in the calf or thigh, which block blood flow through a vein. In some cases, the clot can travel to the lungs, causing further complications, including death. DVT blood clots are responsible for more deaths each year than AIDS and breast cancer combined, and having cancer or chest diseases can increase this risk.

WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW

• Although anyone can develop DVT, it most commonly occurs in people older than 60 years. Smoking and immobility (eg, during air travel) are among the most common risk factors. However, DVT also can occur as a result of injury, infection, pregnancy, or obesity.


• Up to 50% of DVT symptoms can occur with little or no warning. People should seek medical attention if they notice pain, swelling, or redness in their legs or if they experience unexplained shortness of breath, coughing, or chest pain.


• The best way to avoid DVT is to keep it from happening. Maintaining a healthy lifestyle and preparing for long-term restricted mobility are key elements in DVT prevention. However, DVT can be treated. Medications, compression garments, and surgical procedures are all methods regularly used to treat DVT.

Advocacy

The Coalition to Prevent DVT

In 2003, more than 50 organizations assembled in Washington, DC, to discuss the need to make DVT a national public health priority. This gathering resulted in the establishment of the Coalition to Prevent DVT.

To date, the coalition consists of more than 50 organizations, including the ACCP, who share the common goal of raising awareness of DVT and pulmonary embolism among consumers, health-care professionals, leaders in public health, and policy makers. The ACCP is a proud member of this coalition and is dedicated to its continued success in DVT education and prevention.

To learn how you can commemorate DVT Awareness Month and help promote DVT prevention, visit www.preventdvt.org.

Guidelines

Antithrombotic and Thrombolytic Therapy: American College of Chest Physicians Evidence-Based Clinical Practice Guidelines, 8th Edition As the leading resource in the development of evidence-based guidelines in the field of chest medicine, the ACCP is committed to optimizing patient care through the integration of such guidelines into clinical practice.

NEW! ACCP Clinical Resource: Antithrombotic and Thrombolytic Therapy Containing the latest evidence-based information on antithrombotic and thrombolytic therapy, this CD-ROM contains valuable information for clinicians and patients.

Resources

Antithrombotic and Thrombolytic Therapy: American College of Chest Physicians Evidence-Based Clinical Practice Guidelines, 8th Edition Health and Science Policy and Evidence-Based Medicine Current Guidelines		Prevention of Venous Thromboembolism in Hospitalized Medical Patients
NEW! ACCP Clinical Resource: Antithrombotic and Thrombolytic Therapy Containing the latest evidence-based information on antithrombotic and thrombolytic therapy, this CD-ROM contains valuable information for clinicians and patients.		ACCP Clinical Resource: Antithrombotic and Thrombolytic Therapy A Patient’s Guide to Antithrombotic and Thrombolytic Therapy

NetWorks

Pulmonary Vascular Disease NetWork

The ACCP’s Pulmonary Vascular Disease NetWork, made up of leading experts in the field, focuses on pulmonary embolism and other related topics. The NetWork maintains regular updates of relevant articles and published papers.

View these resources and learn more about the Pulmonary Vascular Disease NetWork.

Awards

The CHEST Foundation Distinguished Scholar Program

The CHEST Foundation's Distinguished Scholar Program provides an opportunity for ACCP members to extend their impact in clinical practice. This year, The CHEST Foundation will present the Third GlaxoSmithKline Distinguished Scholar in Thrombosis award. This 3-year, $150,000 award will be presented to an ACCP member who proposes a thrombosis-related project and or service that does one or more of the following:

• Investigates alternatives for treatment.
• Educates patients about options for diagnosis and treatment.
• Disseminates new knowledge about diagnosis and treatment.
• Addresses family, legislative, and regulatory issues.
• Defines new mechanisms leading to innovations and improvements treatment.

Applications are now being accepted for the Third GlaxoSmithKline Distinguished Scholar in Thrombosis.

Contact Lee Ann Fulton with questions about The CHEST Foundation awards program.

Henry I. Bussey, PharmD, FCCP, was selected as the Second GlaxoSmithKline Distinguished Scholar in Thrombosis in July 2008. Dr. Bussey is Professor of the Division of Pharmacotherapy, College of Pharmacy, at the University of Texas at Austin and the University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio. He is also president of Genesis Clinical Research in San Antonio, TX. His project is "A Superior Method of Oral Anticoagulation Management To Substantially Reduce Event Rates, Improve Quality of Life, and Reduce Health-care Costs." His objectives are to develop and demonstrate a new method of oral anticoagulation management that will reduce stroke, myocardial infarction, death, and major bleeding by 30 to 60% compared with current management, while improving patients' quality of life and reducing health-care costs. He also plans to collect data to support an initiative to create a new reimbursement model for such therapy. Dr. Bussey will serve 3 years as Distinguished Scholar and will mentor the Third GlaxoSmithKline Distinguished Scholar in Thrombosis in his fourth and final year.