Evaluation of Upper Extremity Venous Thrombosis with Doppler Ultrasonography in Peripheral Venous Line Applied Patients

Abstract

Objectives: Peripherally inserted venous lines (PVL) may increase the risk of venous thrombosis due to vessel wall disarrangement. Aim of this study is to identify the cases of upper extremity venous thrombosis (UEVT) related to PVL since most of the PVLs applied to upper extremities.
 Methods: Sixty-nine hospitalized patients with previous or present PVL insertions were included in this prospective study. Upper extremity Doppler compression ultrasonography (USG) examination were performed to on all patients. The cases with detected UEVTs were evaluated as group 1 and the remaining cases were evaluated as group 2. Demographic parameters, PVL applications, intravenous treatments were compared between the groups.
 Results: UEVT was diagnosed by Doppler USG in 26 (37.7%) patients out of 69 patients. Lower extremity thrombosis was found in 10 (14.49%) patients. UEVT was observed in cephalic vein in 14 (53.8%) and in basilic vein in four (15.4%) out of 26 (37.7%) patients. Axillary and brachial deep UEVT was located in two (2.9%) cases. Superficial UEVT was found in 24 (34.8%) cases. Ceftriaxone, cefoperazone/sulbactam and esomeprazole were the mostly associated treatments with UEVT. UEVT was detected in five patients with PVL that were inserted only for drawing blood.
 Conclusion: PVL is a risk factor for UEVT since almost 1/3 of the patients revealed UEVT. When PVL is no longer needed or the need for intravenous therapy decreases, oral therapy should be planned and PVL should be removed. Removal of PVL appears to be necessary to avoid UEVT.