Homecare

Patient Track Breakout

(B6) Patient Track Session: Maintaining a Lifeline for a Little Boy with Complex Cardiac Anatomy: Long-term Venous Access

Presenter(s)

• 

  Kathy Grieser, RN, BSN, VA-BC™

  RN, Vascular Access Team
  Cook Children's Medical Center

  Nothing to Disclose

This case study focuses on the challenges of obtaining and maintaining venous access in an eight year old male born with complex congenital heart disease. Patients born with congenital heart defects are often dependent on vascular access for life-sustaining intravenous medications. Along with expected challenges maintaining venous access in the pediatric population, complex venous anatomy poses significant challenges in choosing the appropriate venous device for long-term home infusion therapy. Collateral vessels were developed which were very tortuous presenting challenges when accessing for peripherally inserted central catheter (PICC) line placement.

Learning Objectives:

• Describe at least 2 deviations from normal vasculature anatomy in the complex congenital heart patient
• Identify at least 2 venous access devices available for long term IV therapy
• List 3 evidence-based practice methods in caring for central lines