Trombosis venosa profunda de las extremidades superiores

Comprender la trombosis

¿Qué es la trombosis venosa profunda de las extremidades superiores?

Upper extremity deep vein thrombosis (DVT) occurs when blood clots form in the deep veins of the arms, shoulders and upper chest rather than the legs. This arm DVT typically develops in the axillary vein, subclavian vein or basilic vein.

Upper arm blood clots are less common than lower extremity DVT. The condition most frequently develops in patients with central venous catheters, including intravenous lines, PICC lines (peripherally inserted central catheters) and Portacath devices.

Learn more about upper-extremity DVT
What is upper-extremity DVT

Signos y síntomas

Common signs of upper-extremity deep vein thrombosis include:

  • Dolor súbito
  • Calor
  • Discromía del brazo
  • Hinchazón en el brazo

Unlike leg DVT, upper extremity clots may cause neck pain and shoulder discomfort.

Patients should seek immediate medical attention if they experience sudden arm swelling or severe pain.

Factores de riesgo

Medical devices and procedures significantly increase the risk of developing upper extremity blood clots.

Patients with cancer who require long-term IV access through central lines face the highest risk.

Other contributing factors include thoracic outlet syndrome, repetitive arm motions and certain autoimmune conditions.

Causas

La mayoría de las TVP de las extremidades superiores se producen debido a la presión, el bloqueo o el daño de las venas allí donde salen del brazo o del hombro. Las causas específicas adicionales pueden incluir:

  • Síndrome de la abertura torácica superior: cuando las costillas superiores presionan las venas o los nervios.
  • Antecedentes de lesión o ejercicio intenso en la parte superior del cuerpo, también conocida como "trombosis inducida por esfuerzo". Puede desarrollarse después de una actividad vigorosa y repetitiva con movimientos repetitivos del brazo, por ejemplo, en nadadores, levantadores de pesas, atletas que lanzan peso, jabalina, etc., o en personas cuyo trabajo implica movimientos repetitivos del brazo.
Learn more about upper-extremity DVT from the ISTH

Research on Upper-Extremity DVT from the International Society on Thrombosis and Haemostasis (ISTH)

“The upper extremity postthrombotic syndrome score: an international Delphi consensus study to determine the score’s functional disability component“ – Res Pract Thromb Haemost. 2023. doi: 10.1016/j.rpth.2023.100051 

“Postthrombotic syndrome following upper extremity deep vein thrombosis in children“ – Res Pract Thromb Haemost. 2023. doi: 10.1016/j.rpth.2023.100094 

“A Single Center Retrospective Cohort Study Comparing Different Anticoagulants for the Treatment of Catheter-Related Thrombosis of the Upper Extremities in Women With Gynecologic and Breast Cancer“ – J Thromb Haemost. 2024. doi: 10.1016/j.jtha.2023.11.017 

“Functional impact of pediatric postthrombotic syndrome“ – J Thromb Haemost. 2023. doi: 10.1016/j.jtha.2023.01.004 

“Post-thrombotic syndrome after upper extremity deep vein thrombosis: An international Delphi consensus study“ – J Thromb Haemost. 2022. doi: 10.1111/jth.15767 []

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