The diagnostic value of colour Doppler ultrasound in central venous catheter related thrombosis.
OBJECTIVE
This prospective study was performed to establish the correlation between colour Doppler ultrasound (US) observations and venography in detecting catheter-related thrombosis.


METHODS
Forty-four patients with subclavian venous catheters were studied. The sensitivity and specificity of colour Doppler US was determined for the diagnosis of central venous thrombosis and compared with contrast venography. Criteria considered to show the presence of catheter-related thrombosis included visualization of thrombus (T), absence of spontaneous flow (S), absence of phasicity of flow with respiration (P), incompressibility of the vein with probe pressure (C) and visualization of increased venous collaterals (V).


RESULTS
Analysing each variable separately, P had the highest sensitivity (94%) and S had the highest specificity (100%). The best combinations for diagnosis were T+P, P+S, and T+P+S with a sensitivity of 94% and specificity of 88%. Overall diagnostic value of colour Doppler US had a sensitivity of 94% and specificity of 96%.


CONCLUSIONS
Colour Doppler US is a reliable method for detecting central venous catheter-related thrombosis, especially if several parameters are evaluated in combination.
Köksoy
C
C
Department of Surgery, Ankara University, Ibn-i Sina Hospital, Turkey.
Kuzu
A
A
Kutlay
J
J
Erden
I
I
Ozcan
H
H
Ergîn
K
K
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D001367:Axillary Vein / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D002405:Catheterization, Central Venous / Q000009:adverse effects*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D011446:Prospective Studies; D011859:Radiography; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D013350:Subclavian Vein / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D013927:Thrombosis / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000209:etiology; D018615:Ultrasonography, Doppler, Color