Utilizing evidence-based diagnosis and treatment for central venous thrombosis: closing the gaps where guidelines fail

Abstract

INTRODUCTION: Catheter-related thrombosis (CRT) is a frequent complication of central venous catheters and accounts for most upper extremity deep vein thrombosis events. Despite its increasing clinical burden, management remains poorly standardized because recommendations are largely extrapolated from general venous thromboembolism studies rather than CRT-specific evidence. AREAS COVERED: We performed a structured comparative review of major international, European, and North American guidelines, consensus documents, and position statements identified through PubMed, Ovid, and Scopus searches covering January 2016 to March 2026. Nineteen documents from vascular medicine, oncology, and vascular access societies were included. Recommendations on diagnostic strategies, imaging modalities, catheter management, anticoagulant selection, treatment duration, and invasive interventions were systematically compared. EXPERT OPINION: Considerable heterogeneity persists across recommendations. Ultrasound is consistently endorsed as the first-line imaging modality, whereas the role of clinical prediction scores and D-dimer remains uncertain because neither has been validated in CRT populations. Catheters should be preserved when functional, correctly positioned, and free from infection. Anticoagulation for at least three months is universally recommended, while invasive procedures should be reserved for selected patients with extensive thrombosis or life- or limb-threatening complications. Prospective studies are urgently needed to validate diagnostic algorithms, optimize anticoagulant strategies, and develop CRT-specific evidence-based pathways.

The authors' abstract, as published at the source. Expert Review of Hematology, 2026 · DOI ↗