Central Line and Clots

[mogee]

I am now using a CVC for the second time.  Like before, I need regular Cathflo treatments to keep my arterial line from sucking clotty material up and getting blocked.  Does anyone have any tips on how to keep the line clear?  Does coumadin or asparin help at all?  I've tried vigorously pumping in and out with a syringe, but that only helps temporarily.

[looneytunes]

My hubby has had many isuses with catheters and clotting.  As of now, we are using a much stronger dose of heparin to pack it with (after treatment).  You might ask your center about this.  Hope that helps you, it has been 4 months since we started using it and have not had trouble since. 

[sullidog]

have you had your clotting factors checked?

[lmunchkin]

My hubby has had many isuses with catheters and clotting.  As of now, we are using a much stronger dose of heparin to pack it with (after treatment).  You might ask your center about this.  Hope that helps you, it has been 4 months since we started using it and have not had trouble since. 

Heprin is what I was going to suggest too.  When you start up, do you do a saline flush before hooking to A&V lines.  Before I put J on, I do saline flushes on both lines before and at the end of treatment. Otherwise, I do not know what to tell you.  Is he taking any blood thinners, like Plavix ect..?

lmunchkin
 

[mogee]

Thank you all for your replies.  I discovered last night that if I lie on my right side I have far fewer problems.  This leads me to believe that my problems are the result of the position of the line  rather than accumulated clots.  I never tried the position before because I am facing away from the machine while on my right side.  I will now reverse my head and feet when I sleep during dialysis.