Abstract:
We describe the case of a coronavirus disease patient with midline who, during ventilation with continuous positive airway pressure helmet with underarm fastening straps, presented thrombosis of the axillary vein in the armpit. The tip of the midline ended in the armpit. The thrombosis has been resolved with anticoagulant therapy with low molecular weight heparin of 100 IU/kg bid without giving pulmonary embolism. In an emergency context like this, the need to resort to ventilation strategies even in departments generally not accustomed to the use of these devices and to the management of this type of patients, the need to use and adapt the available material (e.g. being unable to renounce to use underarm fastening straps) obliges us to consider the use of alternative strategies also in the field of vascular access. After this case, we began to consider techniques that allow us to prevent the catheter from ending in the armpit, with benefit. It is essential to continue to observe this patient.
Reference:
Vailati D, Fusco T, Canelli A, Chiariello C, Zerla P. Axillary vein thrombosis in COVID positive patient with midline and continuous positive airway pressure Helmet [published online ahead of print, 2020 Jul 15]. J Vasc Access. 2020;1129729820943424. doi:10.1177/1129729820943424