Thrombosis in oncologic and haemato-oncologic patients with PICC

Abstract

INTRODUCTION: In recent years, the use of peripherally inserted central catheters (PICC) has increased due to their advantages, especially in oncologic patients. Despite being generally safer than other central venous catheters, PICC has shown a higher risk of developing thrombosis. This association is important since oncologic patients carry both additional risks for complex morbidity and for deep vein thrombosis. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Starting with a prospective data collection, oncologic and haemato-oncologic patients referred for PICC insertion were reviewed in a retrospective cohort study in the period between 15th May 2018 and 15th December 2019 in Donostia University Hospital. A descriptive analyse and a bivariate analyse (Pearson’s X²) of the data were used to study the risk factors of these patients in developing thrombosis. RESULTS: 1024 patients took part in the study, with an incidence of 4,9% in thrombosis. Digestive system tumours and lymphoma were the most usual baseline pathologies, both in every patient and in patients who developed thrombosis. Risk factors studied in bivariate analyse (specialty, PICC’s light quantity, PICC’s materials and PICC’s percentage of occupation into the vein) were not statistically associated with thrombosis development. DISCUSSION: The incidence of thrombosis in the studied population showed the same results as the scientific literature, despite the rate of symptomatic thrombosis in this study was higher compared to other scientific studies. Generally, the management of thrombosis in Donostia University Hospital showed right results. Due to the fact that there were not found significant risk factors related to PICC’s thrombosis, it is not possible to define a group of patients which would benefit from the antithrombotic prophylaxis.