The complete recanalization of PICC-related venous thrombosis in cancer patients: A series of case reports

  • Authors:
    • Zuo-Ping Huang
    • Xing-Jing Liu
    • Bin-Xin Zou
    • Li-Gen Wang
    • Tao Zhou
  • View Affiliations

  • Published online on: June 7, 2013     https://doi.org/10.3892/etm.2013.1150
  • Pages: 411-412
Metrics: Total Views: 0 (Spandidos Publications: | PMC Statistics: )
Total PDF Downloads: 0 (Spandidos Publications: | PMC Statistics: )


Abstract

In this study, cancer patients with venous thrombosis associated with the use of peripherally inserted central catheters (PICCs) underwent complete recanalization by the administration of Panax notoginseng saponins (PNS), which vary from heparin or urokinase in that they do not have the same risks associated with thrombolysis, including bleeding. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first study concerning the treatment of cancers with PNS to be reported in the literature. Three cancer patients aged 30-50 years old, two females and one male, were subjected to chemotherapy. On the first day of chemotherapy, a PICC was inserted into the right basilic vein with its tip in the superior vena cava. On the third day of chemotherapy, pain, swelling and skin flushing started. In the following days, particularly days 10-13, a Doppler ultrasound examination confirmed a long thrombus along the PICC line in the axillary vein and brachial veins in each patient. The patients rejected the insertion of an inferior vena cava filter, and neither heparin nor urokinase were administered due to contraindications. An injection of PNS (200 mg) was administered every day. On days 20-28 of chemotherapy, the thrombus in the axillary and brachial veins disappeared in the three patients. It was concluded that PNS promote blood circulation, which prevents blood stasis and reduces the toxicity of cisplatin. The results suggest that PNS are a feasible and effective treatment option for many types of cancer, but have a broader clinical impact on cancer patients with PICC-related venous thrombosis. Therefore, this study is an original case report of particular interest to cancer patients with PICC-related venous thrombosis.
View Figures
View References

Related Articles

Journal Cover

August 2013
Volume 6 Issue 2

Print ISSN: 1792-0981
Online ISSN:1792-1015

Sign up for eToc alerts

Recommend to Library

Copy and paste a formatted citation
x
Spandidos Publications style
Huang Z, Liu X, Zou B, Wang L and Zhou T: The complete recanalization of PICC-related venous thrombosis in cancer patients: A series of case reports. Exp Ther Med 6: 411-412, 2013
APA
Huang, Z., Liu, X., Zou, B., Wang, L., & Zhou, T. (2013). The complete recanalization of PICC-related venous thrombosis in cancer patients: A series of case reports. Experimental and Therapeutic Medicine, 6, 411-412. https://doi.org/10.3892/etm.2013.1150
MLA
Huang, Z., Liu, X., Zou, B., Wang, L., Zhou, T."The complete recanalization of PICC-related venous thrombosis in cancer patients: A series of case reports". Experimental and Therapeutic Medicine 6.2 (2013): 411-412.
Chicago
Huang, Z., Liu, X., Zou, B., Wang, L., Zhou, T."The complete recanalization of PICC-related venous thrombosis in cancer patients: A series of case reports". Experimental and Therapeutic Medicine 6, no. 2 (2013): 411-412. https://doi.org/10.3892/etm.2013.1150