We are a cardiac unit but had a GI bleed pt. She was elderly with poor veins but had a #22 angio lock in. I understand FFP can be infused at a wide open rate, but we did not exceed 200cc/hr becuse we felt she had a potential for volume overload. She was not in an emergent situation where time was a factor, but physician was upset we did not run the FFP faster. We thought if we ran it faster we woud risk blowing one of the few veins she had left. Is there any evidence based information on this? Thanks
What was the total volume of FFP to be infused? How long would this infusion require? How much bleeding was occuring? The FFP contains clotting factors and those may have been needed more rapidly than your scheduled infusion, depending on the volume. FFP is an isotonic solution, so no hypertonicity leading to fluid shifting, etc. Lynn
Lynn Hadaway, M.Ed., RN, NPD-BC, CRNI
Lynn Hadaway Associates, Inc.
PO Box 10
Milner, GA 30257
Website http://www.hadawayassociates.com
Office Phone 770-358-7861
Total volume was 4 units but pt was not bleeding much. I was concerned about the FFP blowing the vein if it was infused any faster than 200cc in a pt with fragile veins anyway. Any thoughts on this as it relates to vein size. We were lucky to place a #22 gauze. Thanks
Infusion rate is not known for "blowing" the vein. Many other factors are including site selection in an area of joint flexion or lack of appropriate catheter stabilization and joint stabilization if a joint must be used. Lynn
Lynn Hadaway, M.Ed., RN, NPD-BC, CRNI
Lynn Hadaway Associates, Inc.
PO Box 10
Milner, GA 30257
Website http://www.hadawayassociates.com
Office Phone 770-358-7861