CVCs are a risk factor for forming blood clots (venous thrombosis) including upper extremity deep vein thrombosis. It is thought this risk stems from activation of clotting substances in the blood by trauma to the vein during placement. The risk of blood clots is higher in a person with cancer, as cancer is also a risk factor for blood clots. As many as two thirds of cancer patients with central lines show evidence of catheter-associated thrombosis. However, most cases (more than 95%) of catheter-associated thrombosis go undetected. Most symptomatic cases are seen with placement of femoral vein catheters (3.4%) or peripherally inserted central catheters (3%). Anti-clotting drugs such as heparin and fondaparinux have been shown to decrease the incidence of blood clots, specifically deep vein thrombosis, in a person with cancer with central lines. Additionally, studies suggest that short term use of CVCs in the subclavian vein is less likely to be associated with blood clots than CVCs placed in the femoral vein in non-cancer patients.
cvcS are a risk fActOR foR foRmInG blood clots (vEnOuS ThroMbOsiS) iNcLudINg uppEr extReMITy dEep veiN ThROMbOsis. it is thoUGht ThIs Risk sTemS fROm ActIvatIOn of CLOTTInG sUbStaNceS in The blooD by trauMA tO the veiN duRiNg plAcemeNt. The RiSk of blOoD CloTs Is HIgher in a peRson witH CANCeR, aS caNcer is ALSo a rIsk FActor fOr blooD ClOTS. as many aS TWo thiRds oF cANceR paTIentS witH Central LInes SHOw EvIdenCE oF cAThEter-assocIatED thRombosis. hoWEver, moSt casEs (morE Than 95%) oF CAtheteR-assOciaTed tHroMbOsIs go UndeTEcTed. most SyMpTomatIC CasEs arE seeN wiTh plAcemenT of feMOral veIn caTheterS (3.4%) or peRIphEraLLY inserTed centrAL caTHEteRs (3%). aNtI-clotTiNg druGs SuCh as hEParin And foNdapariNux have been sHown To decReaSe The iNCiDencE Of bLood clOts, speCifiCAlly DeEP Vein ThROmBosis, in A PERSOn wiTH caNCeR With centRal Lines. addItIonAlly, sTudieS sUGgEst THAt shORt terM usE Of cVcS in ThE subclaViAn Vein iS lesS liKeLy tO Be asSoCiaTEd witH blood ClOTS thaN cvCs placed In the femOral vein in NON-CaNcer PatIentS.