Chronic Complications After Femoral Central Venous Catheter-related Thrombosis in Critically Ill Children

J Pediatr Hematol Oncol. 2015 Aug;37(6):462-7. doi: 10.1097/MPH.0000000000000370.

Abstract

Prescription of thromboprophylaxis is not a common practice in pediatric intensive care units. Most thrombi are catheter-related and asymptomatic, without causing acute complications. However, chronic complications of these (a)symptomatic catheter-related thrombi, that is, postthrombotic syndrome (PTS) and residual thrombosis have not been studied. To investigate these complications, critically ill children of 1 tertiary center with percutaneous inserted femoral central venous catheters (FCVCs) were prospectively followed. Symptomatic FCVC-thrombosis occurred in 10 of the 134 children (7.5%; 95% confidence interval [CI], 2.4-9.5). Only FCVC-infection appeared to be independently associated (P=0.001) with FCVC-thrombosis. At follow-up 2 of the 5 survivors diagnosed with symptomatic thrombosis developed mild PTS; one of them had an occluded vein on ultrasonography. A survivor without PTS had a partial occluded vein at follow-up. Asymptomatic FCVC-thrombosis occurred in 3 of the 42 children (7.1%; 95% CI, 0.0-16.7) screened by ultrasonography within 72 hours after catheter removal. At follow-up, mild PTS was present in 6 of the 33 (18.2%; 95% CI, 6.1-30.3) screened children. Partial and total vein occlusion was present in 1 (3%) and 4 (12%) children, respectively. In conclusion, children on pediatric intensive care units are at risk for (a)symptomatic FCVC-thrombosis, especially children with FCVC-infection. Chronic complications of FCVC-thrombosis are common. Therefore, thromboprophylaxis guidelines are warranted in pediatric intensive care units to minimize morbidity as a result of FCVC-thrombosis.

Publication types

  • Comparative Study
  • Observational Study

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Case-Control Studies
  • Catheterization, Central Venous / adverse effects*
  • Central Venous Catheters / adverse effects*
  • Child
  • Child, Preschool
  • Critical Illness*
  • Female
  • Follow-Up Studies
  • Humans
  • Infant
  • Intensive Care Units, Pediatric
  • Male
  • Postthrombotic Syndrome / diagnosis
  • Postthrombotic Syndrome / etiology*
  • Postthrombotic Syndrome / mortality
  • Prognosis
  • Prospective Studies
  • Risk Factors
  • Survival Rate
  • Survivors
  • Thrombosis / complications*