I just completed a small trial of the Navilyst PASV Picc (their valved picc). We had no problems. I did not receive any calls for inability to flush or get blood. However, it was a small trial. I'll say this. I suspect these type of PICC lines will become more and more popular in the coming years. The claim of decrease clotting and therefore, decrease blood infections, will ring positively with many of providers.
I personally believe this will probably go the same way the Groshong catheter did. That is also a "valved" Picc only the valve is at the distal end and is sitting in the blood stream. Groshong PICC's were supposed to be the cat's meow but if you were a home infusion nurse in the 90's you know they also had issues. I can't tell you how many times we would get call for blocked lines. What was happening was the "doors" were getting stuck with small sticky clots and we would have a problem. Now manufacturers have come up with "doors" or valves within the outside ports. So, we will need to see after years of usage if they have the same mechanical problems. I hope not...it wouls be great for those of use that deal with these lines everyday.
PASV catheters have been on the market since the lat 1990's, so there is already years of experience with them. In fact, here are 2 randomized clinical trials with the PASV from 1999 and 2001 :
1. Hoffer E, Bloch R, Borsa J, Santulli P, Fontaine A, Francoeur N. Peripheraly inserted central catheters with distal versus proximal valves: Prospective, randomized trial. Journal of Vascular and Interventional Radiology. 2001;12(10):1173-1177. 2. Hoffer E, Borse J, Santulli P, Bloch R, Fonteine A. Prospective randomized comparison of valved versus nonvalved peripherally inserted central vein catheters. American Journal of Roentgenography. 1999;173:1393-1398.
Hi Sherry,
I just completed a small trial of the Navilyst PASV Picc (their valved picc). We had no problems. I did not receive any calls for inability to flush or get blood. However, it was a small trial. I'll say this. I suspect these type of PICC lines will become more and more popular in the coming years. The claim of decrease clotting and therefore, decrease blood infections, will ring positively with many of providers.
I personally believe this will probably go the same way the Groshong catheter did. That is also a "valved" Picc only the valve is at the distal end and is sitting in the blood stream. Groshong PICC's were supposed to be the cat's meow but if you were a home infusion nurse in the 90's you know they also had issues. I can't tell you how many times we would get call for blocked lines. What was happening was the "doors" were getting stuck with small sticky clots and we would have a problem. Now manufacturers have come up with "doors" or valves within the outside ports. So, we will need to see after years of usage if they have the same mechanical problems. I hope not...it wouls be great for those of use that deal with these lines everyday.
Jack
PASV catheters have been on the market since the lat 1990's, so there is already years of experience with them. In fact, here are 2 randomized clinical trials with the PASV from 1999 and 2001 :
1. Hoffer E, Bloch R, Borsa J, Santulli P, Fontaine A, Francoeur N. Peripheraly inserted central catheters with distal versus proximal valves: Prospective, randomized trial. Journal of Vascular and Interventional Radiology. 2001;12(10):1173-1177.
2. Hoffer E, Borse J, Santulli P, Bloch R, Fonteine A. Prospective randomized comparison of valved versus nonvalved peripherally inserted central vein catheters. American Journal of Roentgenography. 1999;173:1393-1398.
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