I am a vascular access nurse in a pediatric hospital. We have noticed a significant rise in UEDVT in our cancer patients shortly after a PICC has been placed. I am currently trying to research to see if there are any recommendations or alternatives that we can try with this population. Does anyone have a suggestion of where to start or literature that can be reviewed.
Thank you.
There are a few articles on UEDVT in peds cancer patients but not much on how to reduce the risk. We've tried decreasing the size of the catheter - had a lot of pushback when we proposed that idea but we kept up the pressure and now doctors understand - but the results are not stellar. Kids with ALL and AML will have a high risk and the literature on prophylaxis isn't reassuring. Another not so bright note- it doesn't really matter what kind of central line the child has, the risk is still high. The difference between a PICC and a port or hickman is that the UEDVT will be symptomatic more frequently with a PICC.
S Gordon
IV Resources
Randall Childrens Hospital
S Gordon