Prophylaxis of catheter-related venous thrombosis in cancer patients.
BACKGROUND
The use of indwelling central venous catheters (CVCs) for chemotherapy delivery is common practice in cancer patients. Central venous lines facilitate ease of blood drawing along with administration of blood products and various other therapies. Significant risks, however, include infection and catheter-related thrombosis. Several attempts have been investigated to reduce CVC-associated thrombosis, in particular anticoagulation strategies. Given the lack of clear efficacy, there is at present no recommendation for the use of prophylactic anti-coagulation in patients with solid malignancy and an indwelling CVC.


METHODS
This paper reviews recent given recommendations based on controlled trials.
Karthaus
Meinolf
M
Dept. Hämatologie und Onkologie, Klinikum Neuperlach, Oskar-Maria-Graf Ring 51, 81737, Munich, Germany. m.karthaus@kh-neuperlach.de
D000925:Anticoagulants / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000970:Antineoplastic Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage; D002405:Catheterization, Central Venous / Q000009:adverse effects*; D002408:Catheters, Indwelling / Q000009:adverse effects*; D006403:Hematologic Tests; D006801:Humans; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000150:complications / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000503:physiopathology; D012307:Risk Factors; D020246:Venous Thrombosis / Q000209:etiology / Q000517:prevention & control*
D000925:Anticoagulants; D000970:Antineoplastic Agents