Via practica 9/2005

DIAGNOSTIC AND TREATMENT OF INFLAMMATORY VENOUS DISEASES

Thrombophlebitis (often shortened to phlebitis) is inflammation of a vein. Superficial thrombophlebitis occurs when a blood clot causes inflammation of superficial veins, typically in legs. For a long time, superficial thrombophlebitis was considered as a relatively harmless disease. According to recently published literature, the incidence of complication ranges between 5.6 and 44%. However, if the clot progress in a deep vein, the risk of serious complication (pulmonary embolism) is great. The goals of therapy for superficial phlebitis are to prevent progression into the deep venous system and to hasten the resolution of the inflammatory and thrombotic processes in areas already involved. The treatment of superficial thrombophlebitis encompasses compression, ambulation and nonsteroidal antiinflammatory agents. In cases of increased deep venous thrombosis risk, there is a rationale for anticoagulant treatment.

Keywords: thrombophlebitis, phlebitis, superficial thrombophlebitis, deep venous thrombosis, compression, nonsteroidal antiinflammatory agents.