Superior vena cava thrombosis associated with catheter in critical patients: A case report and brief literature review

Hypercoagulability phenomena are common in critically ill polytraumatized patients. The main risk factors for this complication are surgery, vascular invasions, immobility and infl ammatory processes. Intravascular catheters provide a necessary access for the administration of intravenous therapy, blood sampling and monitoring. However, their use is frequently associated with serious local and systemic complications including disseminated infections, septic thrombophlebitis and endocarditis. In this context, septic thrombophlebitis of the superior vena cava should be suspected in patients with persistent bacteremia after 72 hours of appropriate antimicrobial therapy. The mainstay of treatment includes the removal of the source of infection, early administration of intravenous antibiotics and anticoagulation. Also, surgical treatment should be considered in those with inadequate clinical evolution.