Objective  To investigate the effect of upper limb rehabilitation training combined with microwave hyperthermia on venous blood flow and thrombus after peripherally inserted central catheter (PICC) catheterization in breast cancer patients.

  Methods  A total of 80 breast cancer patients with PICC catheterization were divided into control group and observation group, with 40 cases in each group. The control group received routine nursing intervention and the observation group received upper limb rehabilitation training combined with microwave hyperthermia intervention. The maximal velocity(V_max), time mean flow velocity(TMFV) of axillary vein and coagulation function indexes before and after catheterization were compared between the two groups, and the incidence rates of thrombus and catheter-related complications were compared between the two groups.

  Results  The V_max and TMFV of axillary vein in the observation group were higher than those in the control group at 21 and 28 days after catheterization (P < 0.05). After 28 days of catheterization, PT and APTT in the observation group were significantly higher, while FIB level in the observation group was significantly lower than that in the control group (P < 0.05). There was statistically significant difference in the incidence of venous thrombosis of upper limb between the two groups (P < 0.05), but there was no statistically significant difference in the incidence of catheter-related complications between the two groups (P>0.05).

  Conclusion  Upper limb rehabilitation training combined with microwave hyperthermia can increase blood flow of axillary vein, improve blood coagulation indexes, reduce the incidence of thrombus and not increase the incidence of catheter-related complications in patients with breast cancer undergoing PICC.