Korean J Hematol.  2006 Sep;41(3):220-224. 10.5045/kjh.2006.41.3.220.

A Case of Catheter-related Thrombosis Treated with Local Low-dose Urokinase

• Kim YB
• Lee JJ
• Kim SY
• Kim MJ
• Sul JY
• Kil HR

• KMID: 2252306
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.5045/kjh.2006.41.3.220

Abstract

Although indwelling central venous catheters guarantee a reliable vascular access, and are essential for the management of children undergoing anticancer chemotherapy or stem cell transplantation, these catheters may cause serious mechanical, infectious and thrombotic complications. Central venous catheter-related thrombosis is one of the most important complications that may interfere with the course of treatment. A number of regimens utilizing urokinase have been used but the optimum management of this common problem remains undetermined. We report an 8 year-old boy, who had catheter-related atrial thrombus treated successfully with urokinase. A short course treatment with the use of low-dose urokinase was feasible for the thrombolysis of catheter-related right atrial thrombus in this boy diagnosed with neuroblastoma and undergoing high-dose chemotherapy with autologous peripheral blood stem cell rescue. This treatment was not associated with bleeding.

Keyword

Catheter-related thrombosis; Urokinase

MeSH Terms

Catheters
Central Venous Catheters
Child
Drug Therapy
Hemorrhage
Humans
Male
Neuroblastoma
Stem Cell Transplantation
Stem Cells
Thrombosis*
Urokinase-Type Plasminogen Activator*
Urokinase-Type Plasminogen Activator

Figure

• 

  Fig. 1 Chest PA. (A) Chest PA at the time of diagnosis showed no definite abnormality. Che-moport tip was located in the superior vena cava and Hickman catheter was located in the right atrium. (B) After thrombolytic therapy, che-moport and Hickman catheter were removed state and otherwise was unremarkable.

• 

  Fig. 2 Echocardiogram. (A) The echocardiogram at the time of diagnosis showed a normal heart function (EF 71%), but the tip of the Hickman catheter was located deep in the right atrium, close to the tricuspid valve leaflets. Moreover, a large atrial thrombus was observed around the tip of the catheter and adhering to the atrial wall (the upper arrow indicates Hickman catheter while the lower shows the thrombus). (B) After thrombolytic treatment for 3 days with strict monitoring, the thrombus was progressly lyzed and, had shrunk to a small residue adhering to the atrial wall (the arrow indicates Hickman catheter).

• 

  Fig. 3 Lung perfusion scan. Perfusion defect was not seen before the thrombolytic therapy.

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