Risk factors associated with PICC‐related upper extremity venous thrombosis in cancer patients

Aims and objectives To investigate the incidence and risk factors for peripherally inserted central venous catheters‐related upper extremity venous thrombosis in patients with cancer. Background With the widespread use of peripherally inserted central venous catheters, peripherally inserted central venous catheters‐related upper extremity venous thrombosis in patients with cancer leads to increasing morbidity and mortality. It is very important to further explore the incidence and risk factors for peripherally inserted central venous catheters‐related venous thrombosis. Design and methodsConsecutive patients with cancer who were scheduled to receive peripherally inserted central venous catheters, between September 2009 and May 2012, were prospectively studied in our centre. They were investigated for venous thrombosis by Doppler sonography three times a day within 30 days after catheter insertion. Univariable and multivariable logistic regressions' analyses were performed to identify the risk factors for peripherally inserted central venous catheters‐related thrombosis. Results A total of 89 patients with cancer were studied in our research. Of these, 81 patients were followed up within one month. The mean interval between catheter insertion and the onset of thrombosis was 12·45 ± 6·17 days. The multivariable analyses showed that chemotherapy history, less activities and diabetes were the key risk factors for thrombosis. Conclusions Peripherally inserted central venous catheters‐related upper extremity venous thrombosis had high incidence rate, and most cases had no significant symptoms. The history of chemotherapy, less activities and diabetes were found to be the key risk factors. It should be routinely scanned in high‐risk patients every 3–5 days after catheter insertion, which would then find blood clots in time and reduce the incidence of pulmonary embolism. Relevance to clinical practice Risk factors associated with peripherally inserted central venous catheters‐related upper extremity venous thrombosis are of critical importance in improving the quality of patients' life. It is very important to grasp the indications to reduce the incidence rate of peripherally inserted central venous catheters‐related upper extremity venous thrombosis.