title: Thrombosis associated with ventriculoatrial shunts.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  In this single-center study, the authors examined the clinical characteristics, risk factors, treatment strategies, and outcomes in patients with thrombosis associated with ventriculoatrial (VA) shunts.
  
  
  METHODS
  Inpatient and outpatient charts of patients who underwent treatment and follow-up in the Hematology-Oncology Division at the authors' institution and in whom thrombosis developed secondary to a VA shunt placement were reviewed. A complete thrombophilia work-up was performed in each patient, and these records were also reviewed. Treatment including medical and surgical management was noted and outcome data were recorded.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Resolution of thrombosis was seen after anticoagulation therapy in all patients; this may be an alternative to surgical therapy.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Patients with VA shunts represent a unique group at risk for thrombosis. The duration of anticoagulation therapy must be individualized. However, larger studies are needed to evaluate the efficacy of screening for asymptomatic thrombosis and to investigate the role of prophylactic anticoagulation.
authors.affiliation: Carman and Ann Adams Department of Pediatrics, Children's Hospital of Michigan, Wayne State University, Detroit, Michigan, USA.
authors.forename: Norka
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Wilkinson
authors.forename: Sandeep
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Sood
authors.forename: Steven D
authors.initials: SD
authors.lastname: Ham
authors.forename: Holly
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Gilmer-Hill
authors.forename: Patricia
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Fleming
authors.forename: Madhvi
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Rajpurkar
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000925:Anticoagulants / Q000627:therapeutic use; D002557:Cerebrospinal Fluid Shunts / Q000009:adverse effects*; D002648:Child; D005260:Female; D006325:Heart Atria; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D013927:Thrombosis / Q000209:etiology*
chemical_list: D000925:Anticoagulants