title: The Incidence of Peripheral Catheter-Related Thrombosis in Surgical Patients.
abstract: Background. Central venous catheters and peripherally inserted central catheters are well established risk factors for upper limb deep vein thrombosis. There is limited literature on the thrombosis rates in patients with peripheral catheters. A prospective observational study was conducted to determine the incidence of peripheral catheter-related thrombosis in surgical patients. Methods. Patients deemed high risk for venous thrombosis with a peripheral catheter were considered eligible for the study. An ultrasound was performed on enrolment into the study and at discharge from hospital. Participants were reviewed twice a day for clinical features of upper limb deep vein thrombosis during their admission and followed up at 30 days. Results. 54 patients were included in the study. The incidence of deep vein thrombosis and superficial venous thrombosis was 1.8% and 9.2%, respectively. All cases of venous thrombosis were asymptomatic. Risk factor analysis was limited by the low incidence of thrombosis. Conclusion. This study revealed a low incidence of deep vein thrombosis in surgical patients with peripheral catheters (1.8%). The study was underpowered; therefore the association between peripheral catheters and thrombosis is unable to be established. Future studies with larger sample sizes are required to determine the association between peripheral catheters and thrombosis.
authors.affiliation: James Cook University, School of Medicine and Dentistry, 4740 Mackay, QLD, Australia; Mackay Base Hospital, Mackay, QLD 4650, Australia; Mater Health Services, Corner of Raymond Terrace and Stanley Street, South Brisbane, QLD 4101, Australia.
authors.forename: Amy
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Leung
authors.affiliation: James Cook University, School of Medicine and Dentistry, 4740 Mackay, QLD, Australia.
authors.forename: Clare
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Heal
authors.affiliation: James Cook University, School of Medicine and Dentistry, 4740 Mackay, QLD, Australia.
authors.forename: Jennifer
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Banks
authors.affiliation: James Cook University, School of Medicine and Dentistry, 4740 Mackay, QLD, Australia.
authors.forename: Breanna
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Abraham
authors.affiliation: Mackay Base Hospital, Mackay, QLD 4650, Australia.
authors.forename: Gian
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Capati
authors.affiliation: James Cook University, School of Medicine and Dentistry, 4740 Mackay, QLD, Australia; Mackay Base Hospital, Mackay, QLD 4650, Australia.
authors.forename: Casper
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Pretorius