From the Guidelines
Deep vein thrombosis (DVT) of the brachial vein can lead to lymphedema, but the primary concern is the development of postthrombotic syndrome (PTS).
Consequences of DVT
- The incidence of PTS after upper-extremity DVT (UEDVT) is variable, ranging from 7% to 46%, with a weighted mean incidence of 15% 1.
- Risk factors for upper-extremity PTS are not well characterized, but residual thrombus on ultrasound and subclavian and axillary thromboses may be associated with an increased risk of developing PTS 1.
- Upper-extremity PTS can reduce quality of life (QoL) and upper-extremity function, with dominant-arm PTS appearing to be associated with worse QoL and disability than nondominant-arm PTS 1.
Management of UEDVT
- Anticoagulation and catheter-directed therapy are recommended for patients with UEDVT, with the same caveats as DVT involving the proximal lower extremity 1.
- There is limited evidence to guide the management of upper-extremity PTS, and further study is needed to determine the incidence and risk factors for this condition, as well as to develop effective prevention and treatment strategies 1.
From the Research
Consequences of Deep Vein Thrombosis (DVT) of the Brachial Vein Leading to Lymphedema
- The consequences of DVT of the brachial vein leading to lymphedema are not directly addressed in the provided studies, but some information can be inferred from the available data 2, 3, 4, 5, 6.
- DVT of the brachial vein can lead to serious complications such as pulmonary embolism, recurrences, post-thrombotic syndrome, and death 2, 5.
- The management of DVT in patients with lymphedema is a topic of interest, and some studies suggest that compression therapy may be beneficial in these cases 3, 6.
- However, the specific consequences of brachial vein DVT leading to lymphedema are not well-studied, and more research is needed to understand the relationship between these conditions 5.
- It is known that UEDVT, including brachial vein thrombosis, can be asymptomatic or present with acute severe pain and arm swelling, and can be caused by various factors such as thoracic outlet anatomic obstruction or central intravenous catheters 2, 4.
- The treatment of UEDVT typically involves anticoagulant treatment, and in some cases, thrombolysis or surgical decompression may be necessary 2, 4.