Hi all
Please let me know what you would have done in this situation:
Patient 80+ years, PICC inserted to L. Basilic 4 days ago
Cannot use R arm due to mastectomy in the 1960's; needs PICC for cardiac meds, antibiotics, and poor venous access.
Presents with clotted catheter, quarter sized area of redness, tenderness, heat at insertion site + red, warm inner aspect of elbow. In addition, arm below insertion site is diffusely red and edematous (arm circumference measurements on PICC side > than other arm with lymphedema above and below PICC insertion site). Petechiae on ventral side of all 4 fingers, not there yesterday
No phlebitis up the vein, no symptoms above the catheter insertion site
Radiologist didn't want to do a venogram, even if the line was declotted first (Don't know if that is because the Dept. had no capability to do it ???? or if they just wanted to go home).
Thanks
Nina E.
