Thrombosis

Public Archive
1

Hi all its me again,I had a Jugular Vein Thrombosis just before I was due to have my Hickman line out last April,I was really frightened more so than the surgery.
I am still on Warfarin and have a small swelling left in my neck.
Has anyone else had this? and can reasure me please that it is normal.

Thanks again
Jackie xx

2

Hi Jackie

I too have a jugular vein thrombois. Mine is not caused by my Hickman line though. I think the chances of a thrombosis with a Hickman are about 1% so you have been unlucky.

Warfarin will keep your blood thin and hopefully avoid any probalmes. (My thrombosis is caused by cancer which has recurred in my neck so a different reason from you.)

best wishes

Jane

3

Actually I wonder if the risk of thrombosis may be a bit higher than that Jane. When I had hickman lines (3 in all) back then Warfarin was given routinely. These days at the Marsden I notice they don’t give warfarin any more and I wonder why.

dawnhc

4

Hi I had to have 2 lines as the first misplaced itself,I had trouble with the second on and off all through treatment
The line was put in through my neck as they couldnt find the usual common one others have ( so I was told )
I was not offered Warfarin but wish I had requested it now.I feel it should be given routinely what do others think ?

Jackie

5

Hi Jackie,

Having ask the question why, this morning I went a-googling :). My experiences with hickmans & warfarin were back in 1998 so things have obviously changed and I found by my search that there has been quite a bit of controversy over the use of warfarin with central lines - including hickmans. I found this quote which may in part answer the question -

The British Committee for Standards in Haematology published its guideline on the insertion and management of central venous access devices in 2006 which states:

“The use of low dose warfarin is now contraindicated as it has been shown to be of no apparent benefit for the prophylaxis of symptomatic catheter-related thrombosis in patients with cancer (Couban et al 2005; Young et al 2005). Dose-adjusted warfarin may be superior but at the cost of an increased risk of bleeding…”

dawnhc

6

Sorry: I thought my 1% was what the surgeon told me but on reflection it might be 10%.

It looks as though warfarin is not now recommended routinely for Hickman line.

Jane

7

Thanks Dawn and Jane thats very interesting

Jackie