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Point-Of-Care Ultrasound Screening for Proximal Lower Extremity Deep Venous Thrombosis
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Point-Of-Care Ultrasound Screening for Proximal Lower Extremity Deep Venous Thrombosis

Published on: February 10, 2023

Old and new risk factors for upper extremity deep venous thrombosis

J W Blom1, C J M Doggen, S Osanto

  • 1Department of Clinical Epidemiology, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, The Netherlands.

Journal of Thrombosis and Haemostasis : JTH
|October 26, 2005
PubMed

Insights

A central venous catheter (CVC) significantly increases arm thrombosis risk. Many leg thrombosis risk factors, like prothrombotic mutations and surgery, also elevate arm thrombosis risk.

Area of Science:

  • Vascular Medicine
  • Thrombosis Research
  • Epidemiology

Background:

  • Upper extremity deep venous thrombosis (UEDVT) risk factors like central venous catheters (CVCs) and malignancy are known.
  • Potential risk factors including surgery, injury, and hormone replacement therapy (HRT) require further investigation.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate acquired risk factors for upper extremity deep venous thrombosis.
  • To compare risk factors for arm thrombosis with those for leg thrombosis.

Main Methods:

  • A population-based case-control study was conducted.
  • 179 patients with UEDVT and 2399 controls were included.
  • Acquired risk factors were assessed via questionnaire; genetic mutations and CVC data were also collected.

Main Results:

  • Central venous catheter (CVC) use was a very strong risk factor for arm thrombosis (ORadj: 1136).
  • Malignancy, prothrombotic mutations, surgery, immobilization, and oral contraceptive use were significant risk factors.
  • Obesity combined with surgery dramatically increased arm thrombosis risk (OR: 23).

Conclusions:

  • Central venous catheter (CVC) is a potent risk factor for arm thrombosis.
  • Many established risk factors for leg deep venous thrombosis are also applicable to the upper extremity.
Abstract

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