I assessed a solo2 power PICC and found the purple port had some resistance to flushing, but a normal blood return. The other port had no difficulties either way. I instilled 2mg Cathflo into the purple port and let it sit for almost 1 hr. I then aspirated blood and cathflo and discarded (5cc). Then put on new cap and flushed with saline. The problem is the blood flow is still OK, but the resistance with flushing I orginally encountered is the same--no change after using the Cathflo. Why would there be resistance to flushing when the blood return is normal? Any thoughts? Would it have made any difference to let the Cathflo sit longer? There would be no way to know if it was effective since the blood return wasn't the problem. I haven't encountered this before.
Thanks,
Tami Mendonca, RN
OMC, PA, WA
My first thought is your resistance to flushing is not caused by a fibrin-thrombotic origin, therefore alteplase will not change the outcome.
Also, there could be some mechanical issues with the Solo valve since there are actually 3 valves in this design. Have you talked to the manufacturer? 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
I agree with Lynn in the fact that continued resistance when flushing the port with a good blood return could be due to either a non-thrombotic reason like drug precipitate build-up or mechanical reasons. For future use with Cathflo I would recommend following the manufactures recommendation for dwell times as this may make a difference with the overall success when using Cathflo.