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Catheter-related thrombosis (CRT) in patients with solid tumors: a narrative review and clinical guidance for daily care

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Abstract

Central venous access devices (CVADs) including central venous catheters and peripherally inserted central catheters (PICCs) are essential in the treatment of cancer. Catheter-related thrombosis (CRT) is the most frequent non-infectious complication associated with the use of central lines. The development of CRT may cause to delays in oncologic treatment and increase morbidity leading to potentially life-threatening complications. Several local and systemic risk factors are associated with the development of CRT and should be taken into account to prevent CRT by standardizing appropriate catheter placement and maintenance. The use of primary pharmacological thromboprophylaxis in order to avoid CRT is not routinely recommended, although it can be considered in selected cases. Recommendations for the management of established CRT are based on the extrapolation of anticoagulation for lower limb venous thrombosis. The present review summarizes the current evidence and recommendations for the prevention and management of CRT and identifies areas that require further research.

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Adapted from Rajasekhar et al. [11]

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Medical Oncology Department, Hospital Clinic Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain

    Juan Carlos Laguna & Carme Font

  2. The Christie Hospital, University of Manchester, Wythenshawe Hospital, Manchester, UK

    Tim Cooksley

  3. Department of Emergency Medicine, Asan Medical Center, University of Ulsan College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea

    Shin Ahn

  4. Medical Oncology Department, General Military Hospital of Athens, 401, Athens, Greece

    Nikolaos Tsoukalas

  5. Section of Benign Hematology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, USA

    Thein Hlaing Oo

  6. Department of Hospital Medicine, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, USA

    Norman Brito-Dellan

  7. Medical Oncology Department, Upper GI Cancer Unit, Hospital Clinic Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain

    Francis Esposito

  8. Internal Medicine Department, Anderson Cancer Center, University of Texas, Houston, MD, USA

    Carmen Escalante

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Laguna, J.C., Cooksley, T., Ahn, S. et al. Catheter-related thrombosis (CRT) in patients with solid tumors: a narrative review and clinical guidance for daily care. Support Care Cancer 30, 8577–8588 (2022). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00520-022-07297-8

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