Diagnosis and treatment of peripherally inserted central venous catheter-associated symptomatic upper extremity vein thrombosis in breast cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy

Objective To summarize our experiences in the diagnosis and treatment of peripherally inserted central venous catheter (PICC)-associated symptomatic upper extremity vein thrombosis (UEVT) in breast cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy.Methods A retrospective study of 938 breast cancer patients with PICC from 2011 to 2012 in Peking Union Medical College Hospital were performed.The diagnosis and treatment of PICC-related symptomatic UEVT was analyzed.Results Ten patients (1.1％) developed PICCassociated symptomatic UEVT in 23.5 (4 ～ 176) days after catheter placement,for a total of 1035 catheterdays,with an incidence of 0.11 per 1000 catheter-days.Nine patients were treated with low-molecular-weight heparin for 14 (3 ～50) days,and 5 of them used catheter during anticoagulant therapy without PICC removal.No pulmonary embolus was noted in any patient.Conclusions The incidence of PICC-associated symptomatic UEVT is relatively low.Early diagnosis and treatment can achieve a good clinical outcome in these patients. Key words: Breast cancer;  Peripherally inserted central venous catheters;  Upper extremity vein thrombosis