Cannula provoked upper extremity superficial vein thrombophlebitis (UESVT) is common. Retrospective audit of 93 consecutive patients, 51% male, median age 57 years (range 20-91), with symptomatic UESVT revealed varied management including symptomatic management (37%), prophylactic (37%) and higher dose anticoagulation (27%). There was 2% (95% confidence interval (CI) 0-7.6) thrombus extension and 1% (95% CI 0-5.9) major bleeding, both limited to cancer. We argue anticoagulation is unnecessary in most UESVT patients.
Keywords: cannula; thrombophlebitis; venous thrombosis.
© 2022 The Authors. Internal Medicine Journal published by John Wiley & Sons Australia, Ltd on behalf of Royal Australasian College of Physicians.