Thrombophlebitis

Causes

Thrombophlebitis causes include disorders related to increased tendency for blood clotting and reduced speed of blood in the veins such as prolonged immobility; prolonged traveling (sitting) may promote a blood clot leading to thrombophlebitis but this occurs relatively less.

Long term use of intravenous catheters, intravenous antibiotics, and infusion of vein-irritating substances (such as potassium chloride or sclerotherapy agents) can contribute to development of thrombophlebitis. Larger size, longer duration, and some sites of insertion of catheters are risk factors for developing thrombophlebitis.

Patients with varicose veins, current or immediately post-pregnancy, advanced age, malignancy, recent trauma or surgery, autoimmune or infectious diseases including lupus and antiphospholipid syndrome, obesity, history of venous thrombosis (DVT), respiratory or cardiac failure, and history of or current exogenous estrogen use can increase risk of developing thrombophlebitis.Those with familial clotting disorders such as protein S deficiency, protein C deficiency, or factor V Leiden are also at increased risk of thrombophlebitis.

Specific disorders associated with thrombophlebitis include superficial thrombophlebitis which affects veins near the skin surface, deep vein thrombosis which affects deeper veins, and pulmonary embolism.

Thrombophlebitis can be found in people with vasculitis including Behçet's disease.

Migratory thrombophlebitis, which is when there is repeated thrombophlebitis of multiple different sites that moves around the body, is strongly associated with pancreatic cancer or other malignancies. This is also known as Trousseau syndrome.

Pathophysiology

Thrombophlebitis first develops as a thrombus, or blood clot. Virchow's triad helps describe how blood clots can begin to form in veins with increased turbulence, slowing of blood flow, or injury to the venous wall. From there, a microscopic thrombus becomes larger because it triggers inflammatory responses in the body that causes platelets to adhere. A large thrombus in a superficial vein is what we call thrombophlebitis.

Diagnosis

The diagnosis for thrombophlebitis is primarily based on the appearance of the affected area. Frequent checks of the pulse, blood pressure, and temperature may be required. If the cause is not readily identifiable, tests may be performed to determine the cause, including the following:

• Doppler ultrasound
• Extremity arteriography
• Blood coagulation studies
• Imaging for underlying malignancies (such as CT or MRI)
• Genetic testing for blood clotting disorders such as antiphospholipid syndrome, protein S deficiency, protein C deficiency, or factor V Leiden

Prevention

Prevention consists of walking, drinking fluids and if currently hospitalized, utilizing aseptic technique to place and change IV lines. Walking is especially suggested after a long period of being seated, particularly when one travels.

Treatment

The main treatments for thrombophlebitis include utilizing pain control (such as NSAIDs), application of heat, and use of anticoagulants. Compression stockings may help prevent these for people with varicose veins. If the cause of the thrombophlebitis is due to something else, such as underlying infection or malignancy, addressing these causes can help treat and prevent future episodes.

In general, treatment may include the following:

• Low molecular weight heparin
• Warfarin
• Surgery
• Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory medications (NSAIDS) (Ibuprofen)
• Support stockings

Anticoagulation is thought to help prevent future incidents of venous thromboembolic complications such as deep vein thrombosis or pulmonary embolism, but the treatment is often debated. Fondaparinux is thought to be the most effective of the anticoagulants for this purpose. However, anticoagulation is not appropriate for those with underlying thrombocytopenia or risk of major bleeding.

For septic thrombophlebitis, treatment includes use of intravenous antibiotics, possible anticoagulation, and evaluation by a surgical team for possible intervention. If there is an abscess present, it may need to be drained surgically.

Overall, prognosis is positive if patients are low-risk at baseline. A very low number (less than 1% in one study) of patients go on to develop other life-threatening blood clots such as deep vein thrombosis or pulmonary embolism within 3 months.

Epidemiology

Thrombophlebitis occurs almost equally between women and men, though males do have a slightly higher possibility. The average age of developing thrombophlebitis, based on analyzed incidents, is 54 for men and 58 for women.