Etiology and Management of Upper-Extremity Catheter-Related Thrombosis in Cancer Patients. 2019

Anita Rajasekhar, and Michael B Streiff
Division of Hematology/Oncology, Department of Medicine, University of Florida, PO Box 100278, 1600 SW Archer Rd, Gainesville, FL, 32610, USA. anita.rajasekhar@medicine.ufl.edu.

Central venous access devices are a critical instrument in the treatment and supportive care delivery for oncology patients. Catheter-related thrombosis (CRT) is a common complication of central venous access devices in oncology patients. Risk factors for CRT include patient-, device-, and treatment-related risk factors. Treatment of CRT is indicated to reduce symptoms, prevent catheter malfunction, prevent recurrent DVT or thromboembolic pulmonary embolism, and minimize the risk of post-thrombotic syndrome. Minimal prospective data exist on the prevention and treatment of catheter-related thromboses in cancer patients. As such recommendations largely are derived from data in the lower-extremity DVT and PE studies in cancer and non-cancer patients. Based on the available literature, primary pharmacologic prophylaxis against CRT is not recommended in cancer patients. Treatment options for CRT include catheter removal, anticoagulation, catheter-directed thrombolysis, or surgical thrombectomy. Current evidence-based guidelines recommend LMWH as the anticoagulant of choice. However, recent data showing efficacy and safety of DOACs in cancer-related VTE may be extrapolated to treatment of CRT in cancer patients. In patients with CRT, catheter removal should be pursued if continued vascular access is no longer needed, the catheter is dysfunctional, a catheter-associated infection is present, or if CRT symptoms do not resolve with anticoagulation alone. Catheter-directed thrombolysis is reserved for rare severe cases of CRT. Herein we discuss the pathophysiology, clinical presentation, diagnosis, and general management of CRT in cancer patients.

UI MeSH Term Description Entries
D009369 Neoplasms New abnormal growth of tissue. Malignant neoplasms show a greater degree of anaplasia and have the properties of invasion and metastasis, compared to benign neoplasms. Benign Neoplasm,Cancer,Malignant Neoplasm,Tumor,Tumors,Benign Neoplasms,Malignancy,Malignant Neoplasms,Neoplasia,Neoplasm,Neoplasms, Benign,Cancers,Malignancies,Neoplasias,Neoplasm, Benign,Neoplasm, Malignant,Neoplasms, Malignant
D002405 Catheterization, Central Venous Placement of an intravenous CATHETER in the subclavian, jugular, or other central vein. Central Venous Catheterization,Venous Catheterization, Central,Catheterization, Central,Central Catheterization,Catheterizations, Central,Catheterizations, Central Venous,Central Catheterizations,Central Venous Catheterizations,Venous Catheterizations, Central
D006801 Humans Members of the species Homo sapiens. Homo sapiens,Man (Taxonomy),Human,Man, Modern,Modern Man
D013927 Thrombosis Formation and development of a thrombus or blood clot in BLOOD VESSELS. Atherothrombosis,Thrombus,Blood Clot,Blood Clots,Thromboses
D062905 Central Venous Catheters Catheters that are inserted into a large central vein such as a SUBCLAVIAN VEIN or FEMORAL VEIN. Central Venous Catheter,Catheter, Central Venous,Catheters, Central Venous,Venous Catheter, Central,Venous Catheters, Central

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