[Management of superficialis thrombophlebitis. Guidelines of the Angiologiy Section of the Slovak Medical Chamber (2013)].

UNLABELLED: The aim of Guidelines of the Angiology Section of the Slovak Medical Chamber (AS SMC) is to address a last european guidelines for the management of thrombophlebitis superficialis, as well as results in evidence based  medicine (EBM) in order to assess their contribution to our expanding knowledge on rational management of thrombophlebitis superficialis.

DISCUSSION: Superficial thrombophlebitis is a common disease, usually considered to be benign. However, the practice of systemic duplex ultrasonography has revealed a large number of cases of deep vein thrombosis concomitant with superficial thrombophlebitis. Assessment of clinical probability of deep vein thrombosis and venous tromboembolism and systematic duplex ultrasound investigation has been proposed in the initial management of superficial thrombophlebitis, to detect the presence of any underlying deep vein thrombosis. In contrast with extensive information on the management of deep vein thrombosis, there is little knowledge about the most appropriate treatment of the superficial thrombophlebitis.

CONCLUSION: The treatment of superficial thrombophlebitis should improve local symptoms while preventing the development of complications such as venous thromboembolism. The most effective therapeutic approach to superficial thrombophlebitis seems to be represented by fondaparinux (a synthetic selective indirect inhibitor of factor Xa) which have been shown to prevent VTE events and the extension and/ or recurrence of superficial thrombophlebitis.