Symptomatic upper extremity venous thrombosis associated with permanent transvenous pacemaker electrodes.
Symptomatic arm vein thrombosis secondary to permanent transvenous cardiac pacing electrodes is an uncommon occurrence with an incidence of 1 to 3 percent. Two patients with this problem are presented who were treated with streptokinase followed by conventional anticoagulation therapy with heparin and warfarin. Near total resolution of the thromboses was accomplished in both patients. In follow-up periods of nine and 20 months, the patients have remained asymptomatic. An aggressive approach to this problem may decrease the current high morbidity.
D000368:Aged; D001132:Arm / Q000098:blood supply; D002304:Cardiac Pacing, Artificial; D004566:Electrodes; D006493:Heparin / Q000627:therapeutic use; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D011859:Radiography; D013300:Streptokinase / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D013924:Thrombophlebitis / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000188:drug therapy*; D014859:Warfarin / Q000627:therapeutic use
D014859:Warfarin; D006493:Heparin; D013300:Streptokinase