Introduction:

Advances in the management and survival of severe pediatric disease have led to an increase in thromboembolic phenomena, given the frequent need for central venous catheters (CVC). The present study describes the conditions in which venous thrombosis oc-curs in pediatric patients with CVC in a public referral center in Guayaquil.

Methods:

This is an observational, cross-sectional study with the objective of identifying fac-tors that are associated with the development of venous thrombosis in patients with CVC ad-mitted to the Intensive Care Unit. Information was collected in a pre-designed chart of all patients with CVC for more than 7 days. A venous Doppler ultrasound was performed to de-termine the presence or absence of thrombi. Descriptive statistics were used for univariate analysis and Odds Ratio was used for the bivariate analysis.

Results:

35 patients were included in the study, 14/35 (40%) young infants, 24/35 males (69%), 19 cases (54%) with malnutrition, 10 cases (29%) with congenital heart disease, and 18 cases (51%) admitted for infections. The puncture site was femoral in 11 cases (31%), the procedure was performed by the fellow in 20 cases (57%), on a scheduled basis in 27 cases (77%), and performed in a single attempt in 28 cases (80%). The tip of the catheter was located in the superior vena cava in 23 cases (66%). The prevalence of thrombosis was 14% (95% CI 12.33-16.25). Bivariate analysis showed that none of the variables were associated with the presence of CVC thrombosis.

Conclusions:

14% of patients with CVC use for more than 7 days develop secondary venous thrombosis. The factors associated with CVC including nutritional status and related proce-dures could not be determined.