Crameri O, Brotschi B, Achini F, et al. - In pediatric patients, heparin is an effective treatment modality for catheter-related arterial thrombosis (CAT). The rate of resolution is not increased by long-term treatment with acetylsalicyclic acid (ASA).

• In total, 242 CAT developed in 224 children.

• There were 125 (52%) extremity indwelling catheter-related CATs and 117 (48%) CC-related CATs.

• Heparin alone was used in 60 (25%) of the cases, ASA alone in 6 (2%), heparin followed by ASA in 171 (71%) of the cases, heparin followed by vitamin K antagonist (VKA) in 4 (1.5%) of the cases, and VKA alone in one instance (0.5%).

• Complete CAT resolution was seen in 173 (71.5%) cases, partial resolution in 13 (5.4%) cases, and no resolution in 56 cases (23.1%).

• There was no statistical significance in the resolution rate between treatment groups.

• With heparin alone, complete resolution occurred in 66% of patients after a median of 18 days (range 4-44).

• In children with partial or no resolution of CAT, switching from heparin to ASA did not improve the resolution rate at follow-up.