title: Prevention and treatment of thrombosis associated with central venous catheters in cancer patients.
abstract: Central venous catheters (CVC) play an essential role in the management of cancer patients. Venous thrombosis is a common complication of CVC. The incidence of CVC-associated venous thromboembolism (CVC-VTE) is 1.7 per 1000 catheter days. Risk factors for CVC-VTE include the patient's underlying cancer, a history of previous thrombotic events and the location and type of CVC. Anticoagulant prophylaxis is not effective for CVC-VTE. Anticoagulation alone is the preferred initial treatment for CVC-VTE. CVC removal may be considered in refractory cases or when anticoagulation is contraindicated. Thrombolytic therapy is reserved for patients with limb-threatening thrombosis or thrombosis unresponsive to conventional treatment. Anticoagulation should be continued for at least 3 months or as long as the CVC is present.
authors.affiliation: Department of Internal Medicine, Medstar Harbor Hospital, 3001 South Hanover Street, Baltimore, MD 21225, USA.
authors.forename: Nagamallika
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Jasti
authors.forename: Michael B
authors.initials: MB
authors.lastname: Streiff
mesh_terms: D000925:Anticoagulants / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D062905:Central Venous Catheters; D002986:Clinical Trials as Topic; D006801:Humans; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000150:complications*; D012307:Risk Factors; D013927:Thrombosis / Q000150:complications / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000517:prevention & control
chemical_list: D000925:Anticoagulants
keywords: anticoagulation; cancer; central venous access device; central venous catheter; prevention; prophylaxis; treatment