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Turkish Journal of Medical Sciences

Abstract

Background/aim: Upper extremity venous thrombosis (UEVT), encompassing upper extremity deep vein thrombosis (UEDVT) and superficial vein thrombosis (UESVT), is increasingly recognized due to invasive procedures and advanced diagnostics. This study characterizes the 5-year outcomes and etiological factors of UEVT in a large cohort.

Materials and methods: We conducted a retrospective cohort study of 304 consecutive adult patients with acute UEVT (2019–2025) at a tertiary care center in Türkiye. Demographics, medical history, thrombosis characteristics, treatments, and outcomes—including thrombosis resolution, pulmonary embolism, and mortality—were analyzed. Statistical analyses were performed using chi-square tests, multivariate logistic regression, and random forest models.

Results: Among the 304 patients, 4 (1.32%) had primary UEDVT, 115 (37.8%) had secondary UEDVT, 112 (36.8%) had nonfistula UESVT, and 73 (24.0%) had fistula-related UESVT. UEDVT was associated with malignancy (38.3%, n = 44), central venous catheters (25.2%, n = 29), rheumatologic disorders (n = 15), and coagulopathies (n = 10). Nonfistula UESVT was linked to local factors (e.g., IV contrast, n = 14; IV drug use, n = 12), with no pulmonary embolism (PE) or mortality. Fistula-related UESVT had a 1.4% PE and mortality rate. UEDVT showed higher PE (29.6% vs. 1.1%, p < 0.001) and mortality (23.5% vs. 0.5%, p < 0.001) than UESVT. Multivariate analysis identified UEDVT (OR = 36.50, 95% CI: 8.58%–155.31%), cancer (OR = 2.80), and heart failure (OR = 3.15) as PE predictors, while UEDVT (OR = 58.76), cancer (OR = 9.50), and age (OR = 1.05) were predictors of mortality (all p < 0.05).

Conclusions: UEDVT, driven by systemic factors, carries a higher risk of PE and mortality than UESVT, influenced by local factors. Thorough etiological evaluation and tailored interventions (e.g., catheter removal, multidisciplinary management) are critical to mitigate complications.

Author ORCID Identifier

SELÇUK COŞKUN: 0000-0001-6745-446X

PINAR KÖKSAL COŞKUN: 0000-0002-4649-9834

FERHAT İÇME: 0000-0001-5180-7152

MEHMETMEHMET ALİ CEYHAN: 0000-0003-0000-0177

DOI

10.55730/1300-0144.6111

Keywords

upper extremity venous thrombosis, cancer, rheumatology, hematology, catheter, thrombophlebitis

First Page

1526

Last Page

1539

Publisher

The Scientific and Technological Research Council of Türkiye (TÜBİTAK)

Creative Commons License

Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.

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