Treatment of upper limb deep vein thrombosis with low molecular weight heparin.

Abstract

Upper limb deep vein thrombosis has been an under-recognized disease; however, physicians' awareness of it as a cause of arm pain and edema is increasing. Previously thought of as benign, upper limb deep vein thrombosis has been shown in recent studies to pose a significant risk for pulmonary embolus and death. The need for treatment is now recognized; however, effective treatments for upper limb deep vein thrombosis have not been fully defined. Anticoagulation with oral agents is known to be successful in preventing complications and recurrence. This report presents the first case of upper limb deep vein thrombosis successfully treated with only low molecular weight heparin.