Arterial Thrombosis Secondary to Cardiac Catheterization in Neonates

Abstract

Objective: Cardiac catheterization is one of the basic procedures applied in the diagnosis and treatment of cardiovascular diseases. Development of thrombosis is a serious complication of catheterization. In this study, the frequency and the factors affecting the development of arterial thrombosis were prospectively evaluated in neonates who were subjected to diagnostic or interventional cardiac catheterization. Methods: Twenty newborns that received femoral artery catheterization within 6-month period were enrolled in this study. Blood samples were taken for complete blood count, prothrombin, activated partial thromboplastin time, INR ratio and mutations of factorV Leiden, prothrombin 20210A, methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase C667T and A1298 before the procedure. 100 U/kg bolus of heparin was infused during catheterization. 28 U/kg/hour infusion of heparin was given to the patients with clinically suspected thrombosis during first few hours after catheterization. Doppler ultrasonography was performed in all patients within 6 hours after catheterization. Results: The gestational age of patients ranged from 31 to 40 weeks (median 39). Mean birth weight was 2996 ± 589 (1880-4000 gr). Arterial thrombosis was detected in 10 patients by Doppler USG. On development of arterial thrombosis, patient age, gender, diagnosis, treatments, platelet count, hemoglobin, prothrombin and activated partial thromboplastin time values, FactorV Leiden, prothrombin 20210A, methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase C667T and A1298 mutations were found as not impacting (p>0.05). Those who were found to have thrombosis in Doppler ultrasonography had lower INR levels compared to others (p= 0.023). Conclusions: The rate of femoral arterial thrombosis in newborns after catheterization detected by Doppler ultrasonography was 50% in this study. Our data suggest that early clinical assessment for the diagnosis of thrombosis may be misleading but Doppler ultrasonography may be helpful early detection. Further studies are needed to prediction appropriate drugs and/or doses for prevention of thrombosis after arterial catheterization in newborns.