MODERN APPROACHES TO THE PREVENTION OF THROMBOPHLEBITIS: LITERATURE REVIEW
Keywords:
superficial venous thrombosis, varicose vein, etiology, pathogenesis, epidemiology.Abstract
Superficial thrombophlebitis or superficial vein thrombosis (SVT)results from thrombus formation in a superficial vein with associated inflammation of the vessel wall. SVT is most often observed in the lower extremities, with greater saphenous vein (GSV) involvement in 60-80% of affected individuals. SVT is 6-fold more common than venous thromboembolism (VTE) with a yearly incidence rate of 0.64%. It is important to note that SVT is different from thrombus within the superficial femoral vein which is a deep vein and requires the same approach to management as deep vein thrombosis (DVT) in other deep veins. Risk factors for SVT are similar to those for deep vein thrombosis (DVT) and pulmonary embolism (PE) and include active malignancy or cancer therapy, surgery, venous procedures, trauma/injury, immobilization, obesity, estrogen use/pregnancy (particularly in the first month postpartum), a personal or family history of VTE, and inherited thrombophilia. In addition, SVT often occurs in the presence of varicose veins (present in up to 80% of SVT patients) and, in the upper extremities, is often associated with intravenous catheters. SVT is a risk factor for concomitant and future VTE.
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