ISSN : 1301-5680
e-ISSN : 2149-8156
Turkish Journal of Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery     
Evaluation of patients with upper extremity deep vein thrombosis
Nazmiye Selçuk Kapısız, Hasan Fahri Kapısız, Deniz Ceylan, Ertan Yücel
Dışkapı Yıldırım Beyazıt Devlet Hastanesi Kalp ve Damar Cerrahisi Kliniği, Ankara
Background: We evaluated patients with upper extremity deep vein thrombosis (UEDVT) with respect to risk factors, symptoms and signs, diagnosis, treatment approach, complications, and prognosis.

Methods: The study included 25 patients (13 males, 12 females; mean age 57 years; range 23 to 72 years) with UEDVT. The patients were questioned about risk factors and underlying diseases and were examined with upper extremity venous Doppler ultrasonography. After treatment with lowmolecular- weight heparin followed by warfarin for at least three months, the patients’ responses to treatment were evaluated in the third and 12th months.

Results: Thirteen patients died because of underlying diseases within the first year of follow-up. Mortality due to UEDVT did not occur. The most frequent risk factor was subclavian catheterization (56%). Complete clinical improvement was obtained with medical therapy in all patients except one who underwent axillo-caval bypass. Recurrent thrombosis, pulmonary emboli, postthrombotic syndrome were not seen during one-year follow-up.

Conclusion: The response to medical therapy is good in UEDVT if the underlying causes are treated. Mortality occurs due to underlying diseases.

Keywords : Anticoagulants/therapeutic use; arm/blood supply; catheterization, central venous; venous thrombosis/etiology/therapy
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