The Ultrasound Monitoring to the Venous Thromboembolism Associated with Peripherally Inserted Central Catheters in Chemotherapy Patients: A Prospective Cohort Study

Abstract Objective: To investigate the incidence of peripherally inserted central catheter–related deep venous thrombosis (PRDVT) and their associated risk factors of PRDVT in the oncological patients who received peripherally inserted central catheters. Methods: This is a prospective and interventional cohort study; enrolled cancer patients had ultrasound-guided peripherally inserted central catheters and followed up by an intensive ultrasound monitoring protocol for 24 weeks. Vascular color Doppler ultrasound was applicated to the prospective evaluation of thrombus every 2 weeks for each patient. Results: Of all 406 patients (37,490 catheter days), 30.05% of patients (122/406) developed peripherally inserted central catheter–related deep vein thrombosis, with an incidence of 3.25 per 1000 catheter days. Only 1.23% (5/406) peripherally inserted central catheters were removed because of central line associated blood stream infection or accident. The incidence of asymptomatic PRDVT and symptomatic PRDVT were 26.85% (109/406) and 3.2% (13/406) respectively. Conclusion: The incidence of PRDVT in our hospital was considerable to the published data. Catheter in right upper extremity, tip at subclavian or T 2-4, more than 1 attempt for peripherally inserted central catheter insertion, and radiotherapy were independent predictors of PRDVT in cancer patients. Proactive ultrasound monitoring protocol from insertion to follow-up visits to investigate the incidence of PRDVT in oncological patients should be a routine examination.