Mumbai: March 18, 2009 - A leading cardiologist took a 15-hour flight. A few hours after landing in Mumbai, he complained of breathlessness and was rushed to the hospital where he was pronounced dead.

Not long ago, a well-known politician who was to undergo a surgery, was taken to the hospital, where, all of a sudden, he succumbed to a sudden ‘heart attack'.

The culprit, in both the cases, was Deep Vein Thrombosis (DVT), a condition where a blood clot is formed in the vein. DVT can lead to pulmonary embolism (PE), where a clot travels from the blood vessels (veins) in the legs to the lungs or the brain, causing sudden death.

Studies have revealed that one in every two hospitalised patients in medical and surgical wards worldwide are at a risk of developing DVT. And yet, since DVT occurs without any symptoms, there is not much awareness about it among doctors and patients.

Wockhardt Hospital announced a campaign dedicated towards spreading awareness about DTV as March is observed as DVT awareness month.

"DVT is an extremely common problem in hospitalised patients. Patients with restricted mobility especially in the post operative phase in the treatment of cancer, infectious disease, heart or respiratory disease, advanced age, young girls taking oral contraceptives or hormone therapy are particularly at risk," said Dr
Abhay Bhave, consultant haematologist, Wockhardt Hospital.

Unfortunately, in India, doctors believe that DVT is seen only in the West. "In India, diagnosis is so low that thrombo-prophylaxis (which thins the blood to prevent clotting) is not given even to high-risk patients," said Dr Hasmukh Ravat, senior interventional cardiologist.

A study on 60,000 patients in more than 32 countries, called the ENDORSE revealed that, though the risk of DVT is very high, only 17% patients in India received any prophylaxis to prevent it.

Dr Robert D'Costa, head of the ICU at Wockhardt hospital said, risk assessment is the key to avoid deaths due to PE.

"If you are admitted to a hospital and are immobile, ask your doctor about your risk for DVT. A prophylaxis, which costs less than Rs300 per dose, could save your life," he said. People who take long flights frequently too should be aware. "Stretch your legs as often as possible," he added.