Phlebitis and Thrombophlebitis
Medical Author: Siamak Nabili, MD, MPH
Medical Editor: William C. Shiel, Jr., MD, FACP, FACR
What is phlebitis and thrombophlebitis?
Phlebitis means inflammation of a vein. Thrombophlebitis refers to a blood
clot causing the inflammation. Phlebitis can be superficial, in the skin, or
deep, in the tissues beneath the skin.
Superficial phlebitis is phlebitis that is in a
superficial vein under the surface of the skin. Deep vein thrombophlebitis
refers to a blood clot causing phlebitis in the deeper veins. Deep vein
thrombophlebitis is also referred to as deep venous thrombophlebitis,
deep vein thrombosis (DVT).
The presence of superficial phlebitis does not necessary
suggest an underlying DVT. Upper extremity (upper limbs) and lower extremities (lower
limbs) superficial thrombosis or phlebitis are typically benign conditions and
have a favorable prognosis. A blood clot (thrombus) in the
saphenous vein may be
an exception. This is the large, long vein on the inner side of the legs.
Thrombophlebitis in the saphenous vein can sometimes be associated with
underlying deep vein thrombophlebitis.
On the other hand, deep vein thrombosis of the upper
and lower extremities can be a more serious problem that can lead to a blood
clot traveling to the blood vessels of the lungs and resulting in
pulmonary
embolism. Pulmonary embolism can injure lung tissue is serious and occasionally fatal.
What causes phlebitis?
Phlebitis has many causes. Some of the common causes of phlebitis are:
- local trauma or injury to the vein
- prolonged inactivity, such as, long driving or plane rides
- insertion of intravenous catheters (IV) in hospitals, or IV induced
phlebitis
- period after a surgery (post-operative period), especially orthopedic
procedures
- prolonged immobility, as in hospitalized or bed-ridden patients
- varicose veins
- underlying cancers or clotting disorders
- disruption of normal venous system drainage because of removal of lymph
nodes, for example, after mastectomy for
breast cancer
- intravenous drug use
- patients with burns
Next: What are the risk factors for phlebitis? »
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