Given that many port-a-caths have a volume greater than 2 cc, are you still using 2 mg in 2cc, 2 mg in 4-5 cc or 5 mg in 5 cc. And does anyone have any documentation to support what they're doing. We spoke to a cath-flo rep who stated that their studies had shown 2mg/2cc effective for all types of caths, including port-a-caths.
Barbara,
Great question.
Implantable ports may not have as big a priming volume as you think. Angiodynamics CT injectable Smart Port (the only one that I have extensive data on) has the following numbers:
priming volume for all ports = 0.6 mls
priming volume 9.6fr silincone = 0.02ml per cm
Priming volume 8.0 fr poly = 0.02ml per cm
priming volume 7.5 re silicone = 0.015ml per cm
So, a 8fr poly at 20 cms = port 0.6mls + tube [0.02mlx20cm] 0.4mls = 1ml priming volume.
But of course you also have to add the priming volume or the huber set;
LifeGaurd CT Injectable (again, the only one I have stats on right now)
20ga 1.9cm needle wiht 7" tubing = 0.21mls
So, a 8fr poly at 20 cms = port 0.6mls + tube 0.4mls + huber set 0.21mls =1.21mls. total. At 30cms the total would be 1.41mls
These priming volumes are fairly standard across all manufactures I think. However, if there is one with a priming volume greater than 2mls, I haven't come across it.
Thanks,
Mike Brazunas RN
Angiodynamics
I have seen this demonstrated; try this - get a sample port and attach a huber needle. Prime it and you will see that 2ml is definitely enough to reach the end of the catheter.
According to the procedure for Cath Flo infusion, 2cc is all that is required for any VAD unless the patient is less than 30kg and then the amount is 110% of the intraluminal volume of the device. Hope this helps.
2 mg cathflow in 3ml sterile water.
Andre
Andre - 2mg of Cathflo in 3ml sterile water is new to me...can you explain a bit more? Maybe a typo?
Mari Cordes, BS RN
Mari Cordes, BS RNIII VA-BC
Vascular Access Department
University of Vermont Medical Center