Abstract
Twenty-three limbs in 23 patients developed catheter-related deep vein thrombosis are presented. Intravenous catheter was the most frequent direct influential factor of deep vein thrombosis among the previous consecutive 100 limbs. Such deep vein thrombosis occurred in the lower extremity from the 7th day after using intravenous catheters and most frequently occurred approximately on the 14th day. There were three types of catheter-related deep vein thrombosis: thrombosis after simple venous puncture; that during indwelling intravenous catheter; and that after removal of intravenous catheter. Pulmonary thromboembolism was associated in 79% of the patients revealed by pulmonary perfusion scintigram as abnormal blood flow. The catheter-related deep vein thrombosis could be diagnosed easily as well as subjectively at bedside using ultrasonic B-mode imaging. Anticoagulant therapy is mandatory for these patients to prevent pulmonary thromboembolism or recurrent thrombosis. However, in order to reduce initial deep vein thrombosis due to intravenous catheters, it is important to select some veins of the upper extremities, to change the site of cathetrization routinely, to evaluate thrombus around the intravenous catheters using ultrasonic B-mode imaging, and to use some prophylactic anti-thrombotic drugs.
