Superficial thrombophlebitis Health Article

Definition

Superficial thrombophlebitis is inflammation of a vein due to a blood clot in a vein located just below the skin's surface.

Alternative Names

Thrombophlebitis - superficial

Causes, incidence, and risk factors

Superficial thrombophlebitis may occur after injury to the vein or the recent use of an intravenous (IV) line. It may also develop for no apparent reason in persons at risk for the condition.

Risks for superficial thrombophlebitis include:

• Chemical irritation of the area
• Disorders that involve increased blood clotting
• Infection
• Pregnancy
• Sitting or staying still for a prolonged period
• Use of birth control pills
• Varicose veins

Superficial thrombophlebitis may be associated with:

• Abdominal cancers (such as pancreatic cancer)
• Deep vein thrombosis
• Factor V Leiden
• Prothrombin gene mutation
• Thromboangiitis obliterans

Other rare disorders associated this condition include Antithrombin III (AT-III), Protein C and Protein S deficiencies.

Symptoms

• Skin redness or inflammation along a vein that's just below the skin
• Warmth of tissue
• Tenderness or pain along a vein that's just below the skin -- pain is worse when pressure is applied
• Limb pain
• Hardening of a the vein (induration)

Signs and tests

Your health care provider will diagnose superficial thrombophlebitis based mainly on the appearance of the affected area. Frequent checks of the pulse, blood pressure, temperature, skin condition, and blood flow may be needed.

The following tests can help confirm the condition:

• Doppler ultrasound
• Duplex ultrasound
• Venography

If there are signs of an infection, skin or blood cultures may be performed.

Treatment

The goals of treatment are to reduce pain and inflammation and prevent complications.

To reduce discomfort and swelling, support stockings and elevation of the affected extremity are recommended.

A catheter or IV line should be removed if it is shown to have caused the thrombophlebitis.

Medications to treat superficial thrombophlebitis may include:

• Blood thinners given through a vein (IV) followed by those taken by mouth to help reduce the chances of blood clots
• Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) to reduce inflammation
• Painkillers

If deeper clots (deep vein thrombosis) are also present, your provider may prescribe medicines to dissolve an existing clot. Antibiotics are prescribed if you have an infection

Surgical removal (phlebectomy), stripping, or sclerotherapy of the affected vein are occasionally needed to treat large varicose veins or to prevent further episodes of thrombophlebitis in high-risk patients.