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Semin Thromb Hemost 2006; 32(7): 737-743
DOI: 10.1055/s-2006-951459
Copyright © 2006 by Thieme Medical Publishers, Inc., 333 Seventh Avenue, New York, NY 10001, USA.

Superficial Vein Thrombosis: Risk Factors, Diagnosis, and Treatment

Antonio Marchiori1 , Laura Mosena2 , Paolo Prandoni2
  • 1Department of Emergency Medicine, S. Anthony Hospital, Padua, Italy
  • 2Department of Medical and Surgical Sciences, University Hospital of Padua, Padua, Italy
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Publication History

Publication Date:
06 October 2006 (online)

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ABSTRACT

Superficial vein thrombosis (SVT) is a very common disease even though its incidence has never been assessed properly. Until recently, the literature on this topic has been relatively poor, old, and with numerous methodologic drawbacks, probably because this disease was considered benign and trivial. However, the recent recognition of a frequent association with concomitant venous thromboembolism (VTE) (deep vein thrombosis [DVT] and pulmonary embolism [PE]) and the risk of subsequent VTE complications in patients with isolated SVT has revived interest and has encouraged new clinical research. SVT and VTE share many common predisposing risk factors. Even if varicose veins represent the main cause of SVT, several underlying conditions (e.g., malignancy, thrombophilia, autoimmune diseases) should be sought, especially in idiopathic, migrant, or recurrent SVT of nonvaricose vein patients. The diagnosis is made in a clinical setting but ultrasonography is useful to identify concomitant asymptomatic DVT. Many medical and surgical treatments have been suggested to relieve local symptoms and signs, prevent recurrences, and limit the VTE risk of SVT, but the evidence coming from the limited number of prospective randomized studies does not allow strong recommendations on the optimal treatment of SVT.

KEYWORDS

Superficial vein thrombosis - superficial thrombophlebitis - Duplex ultrasonography - hypercoagulable states - venous thrombosis

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Antonio MarchioniM.D. 

Department of Emergency Medicine, S. Anthony Hospital

35128 Padua, Italy

Email: antonio.marchioni@unipd.it