Management of Superficial Vein Thrombosis after Peripheral Intravenous Catheter Removal

Clinical Presentation and Initial Evaluation

• The presence of a palpable, painful, erythematous, and warm cord, as well as local edema, redness, and sensitivity within 2 cm of the catheter site, are signs of superficial vein thrombosis, and drainage purulent suggesting an overlying infection may be present 1

Treatment and Management

• The American College of Physicians recommends that patients with superficial vein thrombosis at high risk (< 3 cm from a deep vein) should receive full therapeutic anticoagulation, treating it like a deep vein thrombosis with complete anticoagulation for at least 3 months 2
• The use of thrombolytics is not recommended as a first-line treatment for superficial vein thrombosis 3