[Calcification of thrombus associated with central venous catheter: unusual complication].
Thrombosis originating from the tip of central venous catheter is a well known complication. The calcification of such a thrombus is very rare. Until now, only two cases had been described with long-term indwelling central venous catheters used for total parenteral nutrition. We report the first case of a calcified thrombus occurred during a short-term central venous catheterisation. The presumptive mechanism of thrombus calcification is precipitation of calcium salts and its deposition on a pre-existent thrombus. In total parenteral nutrition the mechanism of calcification seems to be multifactorial. Thus, the precipitation of calcium phosphate is increased by the following factors: higher calcium and phosphate concentrations, the use of calcium chloride instead of calcium gluconate, lower pH solutions, slow infusion rate.
Service d'anesthésie-réanimation (Dr. Y Guittard), centre hospitalier général de Lagny-Marne-la-Vallée, 31, avenue du Général-Leclerc, 77405 Lagny, France.
M
M
Dounas
A
A
Yamami
P
P
Peillon
P
P
Martinais
F
F
Angenard
D000368:Aged; D002114:Calcinosis / Q000209:etiology*; D002405:Catheterization, Central Venous / Q000009:adverse effects*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D020246:Venous Thrombosis / Q000209:etiology*