title: Risk factors for upper extremity venous thrombosis associated with peripherally inserted central venous catheters.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To identify clinically important risk factors associated with upper extremity venous thrombosis following peripherally inserted central venous catheters (PICC).
  
  
  METHODS
  A retrospective case control study of 400 consecutive patients with and without upper extremity venous thrombosis post-PICC insertion was performed. Patient data included demographics, body mass index (BMI), ethnicity, site of insertion, size and lumen of catheter, internal length, infusate, and co-morbidities, such as diabetes mellitus, congestive heart failure, and renal failure. Additional risk factors analyzed were active cancer, any history of cancer, recent trauma, smoking, a history of prior deep vein thrombosis, and recent surgery, defined as surgery within three months prior to PICC insertion.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The prevalence of trauma, renal failure, and infusion with antibiotics and total parenteral nutrition (TPN) was higher among patients exhibiting upper extremity venous thrombosis (UEVT), when compared to controls. Patients developing UEVT were also more likely to have PICC line placement in a basilic vein and less likely to have brachial vein placement (P<.001). Left-sided PICC line sites also posed a greater risk (P=.026). The rate of standard DVT prophylaxis with low molecular weight heparin and unfractionated heparin and the use of warfarin was similar in both groups. Average length of hospital stay was almost double among patients developing UEVT, 19.5 days, when compared to patients undergoing PICC line insertion without thrombosis, 10.8 days (t=6.98, P<.001).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  In multivariate analysis, trauma, renal failure, left-sided catheters, basilic placement, TPN, and infusion with antibiotics, specifically vancomycin, were significant risk factors for UEVT associated with PICC insertion. Prophylaxis with low molecular weight heparin, unfractionated heparin or use of warfarin did not prevent the development of venous thrombosis in patients with PICCs. Length of hospital stay and cost are markedly increased in patients who develop PICC-associated upper extremity venous thrombosis.
authors.affiliation: Department of Internal Medicine, St. Elizabeth Health Center, Youngstown, OH 44501, USA. thomas_marnejon@hmis.org
authors.forename: Thomas
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Marnejon
authors.forename: Debra
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Angelo
authors.forename: Ahmed
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Abu Abdou
authors.forename: David
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Gemmel
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000925:Anticoagulants / Q000008:administration & dosage; D002405:Catheterization, Central Venous / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000295:instrumentation*; D002406:Catheterization, Peripheral; D002408:Catheters, Indwelling / Q000009:adverse effects*; D004867:Equipment Design; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007902:Length of Stay; D016015:Logistic Models; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D015999:Multivariate Analysis; D016017:Odds Ratio; D009820:Ohio; D011379:Prognosis; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D018570:Risk Assessment; D012307:Risk Factors; D013997:Time Factors; D056824:Upper Extremity Deep Vein Thrombosis / Q000209:etiology* / Q000517:prevention & control / Q000628:therapy
chemical_list: D000925:Anticoagulants