Peripherally inserted central catheter usage patterns and associated symptomatic upper extremity venous thrombosis.

Objectives: Peripherally inserted central catheters (PICCs) may be complicated by upper extremity (UE) superficial (SVT) or deep venous thrombosis (DVT). The purpose of this study was to determine current PICC insertion patterns and if any PICC or patient characteristics were associated with venous thrombotic complications.

Methods: All UE venous duplex scans during a 12-month period were reviewed, selecting patients with isolated SVT or DVT and PICCs placed ≤30 days.

Duplex ultrasound screening detects high rates of deep vein thromboses in critically ill trauma patients.

Objective: American College of Chest Physician (ACCP) guidelines stratify deep venous thrombosis (DVT) risk in trauma patients based on injury pattern and pharmacologic prophylaxis. Screening is only recommended for patients with high-risk injuries who are unable to receive pharmacologic prophylaxis. However, the prevalence of lower extremity DVT (LEDVT) in trauma patients may be higher than reported in previous studies as many studies on DVT screening have not investigated calf vein DVTs (CVDVT) and have not exclusively targeted critically ill patients.

Symptomatic perioperative venous thromboembolism is a frequent complication in patients with a history of deep vein thrombosis.

Objectives: Patients who undergo surgery are at risk for venous thromboembolism (VTE), and a history of prior deep vein thrombosis (DVT) increases that risk. This study determined the incidence and risk factors for symptomatic perioperative VTE in patients with a prior diagnosis of DVT.

Methods: All lower extremity DVTs, diagnosed between January 2002 and December 2006, were identified through a vascular database.