BACKGROUND: The total rate of thrombotic complications caused by tunneled central lines (TCL) is still not known, as are the long-term consequences. AIM OF THE STUDY: Estimation of a rate of thrombotic complications in children with TCL and malignancy and Doppler ultrasound assessment of blood flow after TCL removal. MATERIALS AND METHODS: One hundred twenty-four children were enrolled for the study. Heparin lock was used as a prophylaxis for line occlusion. The rate and type of thrombotic events associated with TCL were analyzed in all patients. In children without an earlier history of thrombosis, a Doppler ultrasound examination was carried out after TCL removal. RESULTS: In 45.2% of patients at least 1 thrombotic event occurred. These events were TCL lumen thrombosis (42.8% of patients) and subclavian vein thrombosis (2.4% of patients). In 37 patients Doppler ultrasound was carried out and revealed an abnormal blood flow in the vein that was examined in 59.5% of them. CONCLUSIONS: The total rate of thrombotic complications in children with TCL and malignancy is high. A substantial proportion of thrombotic complications can be clinically silent. The use of a heparin lock once a week seems far from effective in preventing thrombotic events in patients with TCL. The TCL life span has no influence on the rate of thrombotic events.
BACKGROUND: The total rate of thrombotic complications caused by tunneled central lines (TCL) is still not known, as are the long-term consequences. AIM OF THE STUDY: Estimation of a rate of thrombotic complications in children with TCL and malignancy and Doppler ultrasound assessment of blood flow after TCL removal. MATERIALS AND METHODS: One hundred twenty-four children were enrolled for the study. Heparin lock was used as a prophylaxis for line occlusion. The rate and type of thrombotic events associated with TCL were analyzed in all patients. In children without an earlier history of thrombosis, a Doppler ultrasound examination was carried out after TCL removal. RESULTS: In 45.2% of patients at least 1 thrombotic event occurred. These events were TCL lumen thrombosis (42.8% of patients) and subclavian vein thrombosis (2.4% of patients). In 37 patients Doppler ultrasound was carried out and revealed an abnormal blood flow in the vein that was examined in 59.5% of them. CONCLUSIONS: The total rate of thrombotic complications in children with TCL and malignancy is high. A substantial proportion of thrombotic complications can be clinically silent. The use of a heparin lock once a week seems far from effective in preventing thrombotic events in patients with TCL. The TCL life span has no influence on the rate of thrombotic events.
Authors: Paul Monagle; Anthony K C Chan; Neil A Goldenberg; Rebecca N Ichord; Janna M Journeycake; Ulrike Nowak-Göttl; Sara K Vesely Journal: Chest Date: 2012-02 Impact factor: 9.410
Authors: Verena Wiegering; Sophie Schmid; Oliver Andres; Clemens Wirth; Armin Wiegering; Thomas Meyer; Beate Winkler; Paul G Schlegel; Matthias Eyrich Journal: BMC Hematol Date: 2014-10-01