Press Release

International Experts Available to Discuss Venous Thromboembolism and Prevention Strategies to Reduce Global Disease Burden

World Thrombosis Day Leaders Publish Findings from a Global VTE Public Awareness Survey Ahead of the 2015 ISTH Congress

TORONTO – During the International Society on Thrombosis and Haemostasis (ISTH) XXV Congress, leading global experts will be available to discuss thrombosis and venous thromboembolism (VTE) – a major but under-recognized cause of morbidity and mortality across low-, middle- and high income countries.

Thrombosis is responsible for one in four deaths worldwide and VTE is a major contributor to this disease burden.

• In Europe and the U.S., VTE kills more people each year than breast and prostate cancer, motor vehicle crashes and AIDS combined.
• Up to 60 percent of all VTE cases are hospital-associated and it is the leading preventable cause of hospital death, ahead of infection and pneumonia.
• Despite the incidence of hospital-associated VTE, risk assessments are not universally mandated, resulting in missed opportunities for life-saving prevention.

In a recent public awareness survey by Ipsos-Reid, the ISTH’s World Thrombosis Day initiative found a significant gap in global understanding and awareness of deep vein thrombosis (DVT) and pulmonary embolism (PE), including signs, symptoms, risk factors and causes. Findings point to a need for increased attention and education globally to save lives and prevent and treat VTE. Responses were collected among 800 individuals in Argentina, Australia, Canada, Germany, Japan, Thailand, The Netherlands, United Kingdom and the United States

Research will be published online in the Journal of Thrombosis and Haemostasis (JTH) on June 18. An embargoed copy of the article is available upon request.

*World Thrombosis Day Steering Committee members will be onsite at the 2015 ISTH Congress and are available for photograph and interview requests. Various World Thrombosis Day events, including a World Thrombosis Day two-hour program on Sunday, June 21 from 13:00 – 15:00; a Global Village of World Thrombosis Day partners in the Exhibition Hall; a Twitter Chat on Monday, June 22 at 12:00; a flash mob demonstration; and much more are planned throughout the Congress.