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[Catheter-induced thrombosis of the inferior vena cava--case report]
H Kohno1, K Matsui, K Wakasugi
1Department of Cardiovascular Surgery, Matsuyama Red Cross Hospital, Japan.
Insights
Catheter removal effectively resolved inferior vena cava thrombosis in a patient with a gastric ulcer. This case highlights a conservative approach for immobile thrombi, avoiding the need for thrombolysis.
Area of Science:
- Vascular Medicine
- Interventional Radiology
Background:
- Central venous catheterization is a common procedure.
- Catheter-induced thrombosis is a potential complication.
Observation:
- A large, immobile thrombus formed along a central venous catheter in the inferior vena cava.
- The thrombus was unexpectedly discovered via abdominal echograms.
Findings:
- Catheter removal led to spontaneous resolution of the inferior vena cava thrombus within two weeks.
- No evidence of pulmonary embolism was observed post-catheter removal.
Implications:
- Simple catheter removal can be an effective treatment for immobile catheter-induced thrombosis.
- This conservative approach may obviate the need for thrombolysis in select cases.
Abstract:
A 47-year-old woman was admitted for bleeding from gastric ulcer for which a central venous catheter was placed through the right femoral vein. Seven days later, abdominal echograms unexpectedly revealed a large thrombus along the catheter in the inferior vena cava. Because the echograms also disclosed the thrombus immobile even in postural change, the catheter was pulled out. Within two weeks following the catheter removal, the thrombus spontaneously disappeared with no evidence of pulmonary embolism. Although thrombolysis therapy may be the treatment of choice for catheter-induced thrombosis, simple removal of the catheter is effective in case that the thrombus is immobile.