[Upper extremity post-thrombotic syndrome and quality of life]

To assess the occurrence of post thrombotic syndrome and quality of life in patients with upper extremity deep venous thrombosis.

Twenty-seven patients with the previous diagnosis of upper extremity venous thrombosis, from January 2006 to March 2010, were recruited for clinical evaluation, ultrasonography studies and an interview utilizing the Modified scale and the SF-36 questionnaire

Only II (40.7%) of the patients responded, there women and men, average age of 53.7 years. Ultrasonography revealed a residual thrombus in 18.2% of the cases, with repercussions in the venous flow. A clinical post-thrombotic syndrome was diagnosed in 36.4% of the patients, being light in 27.2% and moderate in 9.2%. Neoplasia and central venous catheter were not associated to the occurrence of the syndrome, but thrombophylia played a significant role in its occurrence. The quality of life questionnaire revealed 90.9% of patients with good functional capacity, but 54.5% of them complained of precarious state of health. Paradoxically, patients with neoplasia displayed a satisfactory health state. Certain emotional aspects related with the previous TVP, affected the quality of life of same patients. Patients with post-thrombotic syndrome have considered as precarious their health status.

Deep venous thrombosis of upper extremity may cause a post-thrombotic syndrome of light intensity. The presence of a central venous catheter or neoplasia were not considered risk factors of its occurrence. Most of the patients displayed a satisfactory functional capacity, but around an half considered as having a precarious health state. Patients classified as having poor quality of life were those having recurrent DVT and post-thrombotic syndrome.