Upper extremity deep vein thrombosis: An intensivist’s perspective

Table 3 Advantages and disadvantages of various diagnostic tests for upper extremity deep vein thrombosis

Diagnostic tests	Advantages	Disadvantages
D-dimer	High sensitivity. Readily available	Poor specificity. Not extensively evaluated for UEDVT
Ultrasound	Non-invasive. Readily available. Bedside. Less expensive. Good sensitivity and specificity	Not appropriate for evaluating central veins. Operator dependant
Doppler ultrasound	Non-invasive. Readily available. Bedside. Less expensive. Good sensitivity and specificity	Operator dependant
Computed tomography venography	Can help in diagnosing other underlying pathologies or rule out other diagnosis	Radiation exposure. Logistical issues. Moderate sensitivity and specificity
Magnetic resonance venography	Can help in diagnosing other underlying pathologies or rule out other diagnosis	Not widely available. Expensive. Logistical issues. Not suitable for patients with surgical implants and pacemakers. Moderate sensitivity and specificity
Contrast venography	Gold standard. High sensitivity and specificity. Can visualize the entire deep venous system. Can define complex and difficult anatomy	Invasive. Radiation exposure. Allergic reactions

UEDVT: Upper extremity deep vein thrombosis.