Deep vein thrombosis of upper extremities in the era of direct Oral anticoagulants

Abstract

Pulmonary embolism (PE) is caused by blockage of pulmonary arteries by thrombus, which is developed in deep veins and travels through the blood stream. The major sources of thrombus are veins in lower extremities, whereas deep vein thrombosis (DVT) in upper extremities rarely occurs spontaneously and sometimes develops as a complication of central venous catheter placement or cancer,1 although DVT in upper extremities could be increasing due to widespread use of central venous catheters and increase in cancer survivors.