Identification and treatment of asymptomatic central venous catheter thrombosis after TAVI

One of the most serious complications of central venous catheterisation is thrombus, particularly asymptomatic thrombus. If not recognised and promptly treated, it can result in pulmonary emboli. Here, we describe transcatheter aortic valve implantation performed in a 77-year-old female patient with the insertion of a central venous catheter into the right internal jugular vein as part of the procedure. The patient experienced no associated discomfort and received standard antiplatelet and antibiotic treatment. Given that the catheterisation procedure was unsuccessful on the first attempt, an ultrasonographic examination of the blood vessel was performed in order to prepare for extubation of the patient. A thrombus was identified, which was resolved with low-molecular-weight heparin anticoagulation therapy. The patient experienced no complications with removal of the central venous catheter.