Thrombosis occurs when a blood clot forms inappropriately in a blood vessel and obstructs the flow of blood. Every year on October 13, we observe World Thrombosis Day to raise awareness of thrombosis. Thrombosis is a serious condition that is often overlooked and may lead to life-threatening complications such as stroke and heart attack.

Key Biomarkers Related to Thrombosis

Understanding thrombosis involves identifying various biomarkers that indicate the presence of a blood clot or the risk of thrombosis. Some of the important biomarkers include:

D-dimer: A fibrin degradation product that is often elevated during thrombosis. High levels may indicate active clot formation and breakdown.

Prothrombin Fragment 1.2: This indicator shows that the coagulation cascade is activated. Elevated levels mean an increased risk of thrombosis.

Fibrinogen: A protein necessary for the formation of blood clots. High levels of fibrinogen may be associated with a higher risk of thrombotic events.

Tissue Factor (TF): An initiator of the coagulation process. Elevated tissue factor levels lead to a procoagulant state and have been associated with various thrombotic disorders.

Platelet activation markers: These include P-selectin and soluble CD40 ligand, which indicate platelet activation and are associated with thrombotic events.

Rapid Detection Methods

Prompt diagnosis is the key to effective treatment of blood clots. The following are some of the rapid testing methods currently in use:

Point-of-Care D-dimer Tests: These tests provide rapid results and help to rule out thrombosis in symptomatic patients.

Ultrasound: Vascular ultrasound is a noninvasive imaging technique for rapid assessment of deep vein thrombosis (DVT), which uses sound waves to visualize blood vessels and detect blood clots.

Rapid Thrombosis Screening Panels: Some healthcare organizations utilize comprehensive panels containing multiple biomarkers to quickly assess thrombotic risk. These screening panels provide a more complete picture of a patient's clotting status.

Computed Tomography Pulmonary Angiography (CTPA): For suspected pulmonary embolism, CTPA is a fast, highly sensitive imaging method to visualize blood clots in the pulmonary arteries.

Electrochemical Sensors: Emerging technologies include biosensors that can detect biomarkers such as D-dimer or fibrinogen in real time, offering the potential for rapid and reliable detection in a variety of environments.

On this World Thrombosis Day, let us enhance our understanding of thrombosis and its biomarkers, as well as the rapid detection methods available. By promoting a better understanding of blood clots among healthcare professionals and the public, we can improve prevention strategies and save lives. Let us unite to effectively identify, detect and manage blood clots, leading to better health outcomes for all.