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Journal of Clinical Medicine Research

Original Article

Volume 6, Number 5, October 2014, pages 345-353

Risk Factors for Subclavian Vein Thrombosis in Cancer Patients With Total Parenteral Nutrition

Venous thrombosis is a frequent complication in hospitalized cancer patients, although subclavian vein thrombosis (SVT) is not commonly diagnosed, with trauma and venous catheterization being its main causes. Long-term venous catheterization is common in cancer patients in order for them to receive treatments such as chemotherapy or parenteral nutrition. Central veins are preferred in this setting due to a reduced risk of infections and thrombosis compared with peripheral veins [1]. There is great variability in the cumulative incidence of thrombosis reported in patients with central indwelling catheters, ranging from 12 to 66% [2, 3]; usually, these events are asymptomatic (71-90%). Trials with the highest cumulative incidences have been conducted using contrast media and invasive diagnostic procedures. Previous cohort studies had established the onset of SVT between day 8 (64-98%) and day 30 after catheter insertion (68-98%) [4-6]. The main risk factors proposed as SVT etiology include infections, older age, metastatic cancer, previous thrombosis events, etc. [7, 8]. Little is known about total parenteral nutrition (TPN) and high osmolarity venous infusions as risk factors for venous thrombosis, although in animal models, a potential prothrombotic effect of parenteral nutrition was previously shown [9].

Doppler ultrasound has high sensitivity (78-94%) and specificity (82-96%) for the diagnosis of SVT [10, 11]; being a non-invasive test, and safer than venography, it is known as the diagnostic gold standard. Our objective in this study was to find out the cumulative incidence of SVT in patients on parenteral nutrition and to identify risk factors associated with this complication.

Consecutive cancer patients requiring subclavian vein catheterization in order to receive TPN were included. All patients were receiving thromboprophylaxis with subcutaneous enoxaparin (1 mg/kg/day). Patients with previous subclavian catheter placement or previous thrombotic events were excluded.

This was a prospective cohort study. A subclavian vein Doppler ultrasound (HDI 5000 Philips ATL broadband linear transducer, 12 to 5 MHz) was performed 8 (± 1) and 30 days (± 1) after catheter placement looking for venous thrombosis. By direct interviews, we collected data about age, comorbidities (diabetes, hypertension, autoimmune disorders, etc.) and smoking index. From medical records, we obtained data on type of cancer, body mass index (BMI), TPN formula received (osmolarity, calories, amounts of protein, carbohydrates and lipids), side and complications during catheter insertion, coagulation tests and catheter tip cultures. Our dependent variable, SVT, was defined as total or partial obstruction by a thrombus diagnosed by Doppler ultrasound examination. The study was carried out at the Oncology Hospital, Centro Medico Siglo XXI, IMSS, one of the main cancer reference centers in Mexico.

Chi-square or Mann-Whitney U tests were performed depending on the type of variable. Relative risks (RRs) were established for variables with statistical significance. A Kaplan-Meier test was employed to analyze significant variables eliminating confounding factors, and a Cox proportional hazards model was used to establish the relationship between the cumulative incidence of thrombosis events and the number of days elapsed after catheter placement. Multiple logistic regression analyses helped us to establish a possible relationship between significant variables and SVT. A P < 0.05 was considered statistically significant. IBM SPSS Statistics 20 software was employed for statistical analysis.

The study was considered to be a minimal risk research; it was reviewed and accepted by the Investigation Committee at the Oncology Hospital, Centro Medico Nacional Siglo XXI, in compliance with internationally accepted ethical codes and guidelines. All study subjects gave their written informed consent.

From January 2012 to February 2013, 121 patients were included, 63 male (52.1%) and 58 female (47.9%), with a mean of 61 (± 11.8) years of age. The most common cancer locations were colorectal (37.2%), stomach (29.8%) and pancreas (19%). Thirty-six thrombosis events were detected at day 8 from catheter insertion for TPN (29.8%) and 47 at day 30 (38.8%) (Fig. 1).

Click for large image

Figure 1. Subclavian vein thrombosis incidence in patients with central catheter for TPN.

High cumulative incidence of SVT was found in high-risk patients with cancer, recent surgery and parenteral nutrition, in spite of antithrombotic prophylaxis.

This incidence is comparable to that in previous reports in non-oncologic patients receiving TPN without thrombotic prophylaxis [12]. Symptomatic events showed similar incidence as in previously reported studies with non-radiologic diagnosis of thrombosis (3.3%). Most thrombosis events were observed at day 7 from catheter placement (76.5%), similar as the 64% reported by De Cicco and colleagues using flebography in cancer patients [13].

We included clinical variables previously shown to be risk factors for thrombotic events [8], adding the nutritional formula elements and characteristics. No significant differences were found in age group, presence of bacterial colonization, puncture side or complications during catheter placement. A higher incidence of subclavian thrombosis was found in gastric cancer patients; there are previous reports of C-protein-acquired resistance leading to a hypercoagulable state [14, 15]. None of these patients had known metastases at the time of the study.

Analyzing the nutritional formula characteristics, we found that high amino acid concentrations (> 97.5 g) and high osmolarity (> 3,050 mOsm) administered in 24 h were related to SVT with statistical significance.

We included laboratory parameters not previously considered as being related to SVT. In this study, fibrinogen levels < 550 mg/dL were found to be a risk factor for subclavian thrombosis; this is an element of the coagulation cascade that at high levels is associated with atherosclerosis and prothrombotic states [16]; whereas low levels are related mainly with disseminated intravascular coagulation. In subjects with systemic inflammatory responses and in cancer patients, a 200 to 400% increase in fibrinogen levels is expected [17]; in our study, we found a significant relationship between subclavian thrombosis events and normal to 50%-higher levels of fibrinogen. Some studies had found coagulation tests anomalies in patients with cervix [18], lung [19, 20], ovarian [21] or breast cancer [22]. We think that this finding is likely to be related to a pro-inflammatory effect rather than a risk factor.

This study had some limitations. First, our patients were not assessed with an initial ultrasound, they were asymptomatic prior to the catheterization, and we considered that the only way to install a venous catheter was using a permeable vein. Another limitation was that D-dimer levels were not measured, as this is not a routine laboratory test in our hospital because levels are considered to be usually high in cancer patients. The present study gave us some insights on the incidence of this complication and possible risk factors. We propose close monitoring of venous patency in patients receiving high-osmolarity TPN formulas, and we also hope that this report will provide grounds for new studies on this topic.

High-osmolarity and high-protein nutrition formulas were shown to be risk factors for SVT in cancer patients receiving TPN. We propose close monitoring in high-risk patients with Doppler ultrasound testing 30 days after catheter insertion for prompt treatment.

Financial Support

No financial support received.

Conflict of Interest

None of the authors have a conflict of interest to report.

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