Venous thromboembolism (VTE) affects approximately 100 people per 100,000 population
per year. Approximately one-third present as pulmonary embolism (PE) and two-thirds
as deep vein thrombosis (DVT), mostly in the lower limbs [
[1]
]. Upper-extremity DVT represents about 5% to 10% of all diagnosed VTE events [
[2]
]. Doppler ultrasound is commonly used as the initial study for upper-extremity DVT
[
[3]
]. Primary upper-extremity DVT is defined as an unprovoked thrombosis with or without
thombophilia or as a consequence of strenuous upper-extremity activity (Paget–Schroetter
syndrome). Secondary upper-extremity DVT accounts for 80% of all upper-extremity DVTs
and is defined as any venous thrombosis related to a predisposing factor, such as
insertion of central venous catheters, pacemakers or malignancy [
[4]
].To read this article in full you will need to make a payment
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References
- The epidemiology of venous thromboembolism.Circulation. 2003; 107: I4-I8
- Clinical practice. Deep-vein thrombosis of the upper extremities.N Engl J Med. 2011; 364: 861-869
- Accuracy of diagnostic tests for clinically suspected upper extremity deep vein thrombosis: a systematic review.J Thromb Haemost. 2010; 8: 684-692
- Upper-extremity deep venous thrombosis: a review.Am J Med. 2011; 124: 402-407
- The post-thrombotic syndrome after upper extremity deep venous thrombosis in adults: a systematic review.Thromb Res. 2006; 117: 609-614
- Limited usefulness of D-dimer in suspected deep vein thrombosis of the upper extremities.Blood Coagul Fibrinolysis. 2006; 17: 225-226
- Antithrombotic therapy for VTE Disease: CHEST Guideline.Chest. 2016; https://doi.org/10.1016/j.chest.2015.11.026
- Clinical outcome of patients with upper-extremity deep vein thrombosis: results from the RIETE Registry.Chest. 2008; 133: 143-148
- Risk factors and recurrence rate of primary deep vein thrombosis of the upper extremities.Circulation. 2004; 110: 566-570
- Long-term thrombotic recurrence after nonoperative management of Paget–Schroetter syndrome.J Vasc Surg. 2006; 43: 1236-1243
Article info
Publication history
Published online: February 12, 2016
Accepted:
January 25,
2016
Received in revised form:
January 22,
2016
Received:
January 20,
2016
Identification
Copyright
© 2016 European Federation of Internal Medicine. Published by Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.
