Umbilical Vascular Catheter Associated Portal Vein Thrombosis Detected by Ultrasound

Objective To determine catheter-associated thrombosis by color Doppler ultrasound and to detect duration of catheter placement as a risk factor for thrombosis. Methods All newborn infants with umbilical vascular catheterization for more than 6 h duration were included in this study. Color Doppler ultrasound examination was performed within 24-48 h of catheter insertion, 48-72 h after its withdrawal and weekly until hospital discharge or clot resolution. Results Portal vein thrombosis (PVT) was determined in five cases (3.04%) of 164 infants received umbilical vascular catheterization. The mean duration of catheter placement in patients with PVT was 3.4 +/- 1.94 days, which was not significantly different from infants without thrombosis (3.5 +/- 2.03). Thrombosis was completely recanalized and resolved after 3-6 weeks in three survived neonates. There was history of exchange transfusion for hyperbilirubinemia via umbilical vein in two neonates with PVT. Conclusions Catheter-associated portal venous thrombosis was uncommon in our study. The duration of catheter placement was not longer in patients with portal vein thrombosis than those without thrombosis.