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pubmed:abstractText |
Upper-extremity deep venous thrombosis, an uncommon complication of oral contraceptive therapy, has not been described in patients with permanent pacemakers. The following case, clearly related to initiation of oral contraceptive therapy, points out perhaps another small but significant patient population in which this method of birth control is contraindicated.
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pubmed:otherAbstract |
PIP: The 1st reported case of upper extremity venous thrombosis occurring at a pacemaker insertion site in an oral contraceptive (OC) user is presented in this paper. Deep venous thrombosis of pelvic and lower extremity veins has been noted to occur in a small number of OC users. The patient, a 22-year old nulliparous woman, was treated for sick sinus syndrome with a demand pacemaker placed via the right subclavian vein. 1 week after beginning OC use, the patient developed progressive right upper extremity nonpitting edema, cyanosis, tenderness, aching, and swelling above the right breast. OC use was discontinued and heparin therapy was initiated for subclavian and axillary vein thrombosis. The patient's symptoms resolved within 4 days. On the basis of this case, it is recommended that women with permanent venous pacemakers select a form of contraception other than OCs. If alternate methods are not feasible, women should be well educated regarding the signs and symptoms of venous thrombosis.
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