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Clinical focus: Current Issues in Venous Thromboembolism - Review

A review of upper extremity deep vein thrombosis

ORCID Icon, ORCID Icon & ORCID Icon
Pages 3-10 | Received 30 Nov 2020, Accepted 16 Feb 2021, Published online: 08 Mar 2021
 
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ABSTRACT

This review aims to describe the epidemiology, pathophysiology, risk factors, presentation, complications, evaluation/diagnosis, and treatment of upper extremity deep vein thrombosis (UEDVT). Upper extremity deep vein thrombosis (UEDVT) accounts for 6% of cases of deep vein thrombosis (DVT). It can lead to swelling and discomfort in that extremity and can be complicated by pulmonary embolism, post-thrombotic syndrome, and recurrence of DVT. Evaluation can begin with a dichotomized Constans score and fibrin degradation product testing. Diagnosis is typically made with compression ultrasound. Anticoagulation is the mainstay of therapy. Primary UEDVT is known as Paget Schroetter Syndrome (PSS) which occurs due to venous thoracic outlet syndrome (vTOS). Anticoagulation, thrombolysis, and decompression of the venous thoracic outlet are used for treatment but the optimal strategy remains to be elucidated. Secondary UEDVT are most commonly caused by indwelling catheters and malignancy. There is an ongoing realization that UEDVT are more than simply ‘leg clots in the arm.’ Given the increasing incidence, research needs to be done to further our understanding of this disease state, its evaluation, and its treatment.

Acknowledgments

None stated

Declaration of financial/other relationships

The contents of the paper and the opinions expressed within are those of the authors, and it was the decision of the authors to submit the manuscript for publication.

Declaration of interest

The authors have no conflicts of interest.

Disclose statement

Peer reviewers on this manuscript have no relevant financial or other relationships to disclose.

Additional information

Funding

No funding was received to produce this article

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