Reconsidering the GAVeCeLT Consensus on catheter-related thrombosis, 13 years later

Abstract

Catheter-related thrombosis represents one of the most common complications following central venous access insertion. Despite the amount of available studies, many aspects surrounding catheter-related thrombosis remain controversial. Thirteen years ago, the Italian Study Group for Long Term Central Venous Access (GAVeCeLT) developed a nationwide Consensus in order to clarify some key aspects on this topic. Despite most of them still remain valid, however, knowledge around catheter-related thrombosis has greatly evolved over the last decade, with a natural evolution in terms of catheter technologies, insertion techniques, and management bundles. Aims of this editorial are to readdress conclusions of the 2007 GAVeCeLT Consensus in the light of the new relevant evidences that have been added in the last 13 years and to analyze some unsolved issues that still remain debated.

Keywords: Central venous catheter; catheter-related thrombosis; central venous catheter thrombosis; deep vein thrombosis; venous thromboembolism.