Comparisons Between Upper and Lower Extremity Deep Vein Thrombosis: A Review of the RIETE Registry:

Background:The outcome of patients with upper extremity deep vein thrombosis (UEDVT) has not been consistently compared with that in patients with lower extremity deep vein thrombosis (LEDVT).Methods:We used the Registro Informatizado de Enfermedad Trombo Embolica (RIETE) registry to compare the outcomes during the course of anticoagulant therapy in patients with UEDVT versus outcomes in patients with LEDVT.Results:As of August 2015, 37,366 patients with acute DVT had been enrolled in RIETE: 35094 (94%) had LEDVT, 1334 (3.6%) non-catheter related UEDVT (672 unprovoked and 662 provoked) and 938 (2.5%) had catheter-related UEDVT. During the course of anticoagulation, patients with unprovoked UEDVT had a higher rate of DVT recurrences (hazard ratio [HR]: 2.22; 95% CI: 1.37-3.43) and a similar rate of PE recurrences or major bleeding than those with unprovoked LEDVT. Patients with non-catheter-related provoked UEDVT had a similar outcome than those with provoked LEDVT. Among patients with UEDVT, those with no...