Success

Procedure was long (almost 3 hours) and complicated, but had good results. Dr. D feels they were able to get all of the clots. He was surprised to find some of the remaining clots were old (he could tell by the thickness and texture). He said this is not uncommon when you have a long term PICC, Any time you have a foreign object in your body, the natural response is to get rid of it, which is one reason the body forms clots. Then add the fact that the PICC was out of place therefore dripping TPN into an area it wasn't meant for and you get all these small vessels backing up forming clots.

The original plan was to remove the clots and place a new PICC in the right arm. But, sometime during the night he lost both IV's in that arm and the upper one caused his bicep to swell a great deal, so, they were not able to put a new PICC in. He will go back to IR again tomorrow and hopefully they will be able to put PICC in at that point. In the meantime, they have left the catheter in the site to administer fluids, as well as port for antibiotics, steroid, and heparin (which he he has running continuously). I believe they said he will remain in ICU until they are able to get a new PICC in.

Tomorrow docs will confer to come up with a plan of action as to what the best course of treatment will be for Ron. It's obvious Ron's body is prone to developing clots so the need for anticoagulants will definitely be addressed. Then again, we know how his body has problems with blood thinners...quite the quandary!

Some of you have asked, "didn't they put a filter in to catch clots?" Yes, they did, two years ago at HEB. The filter he has is in the inferior vena cava (below the heart) while his problems are in the superior vena cava (above the heart). So, this filter doesn't help. "Then why not put a filter in the superior vena cava?" Great idea! Unfortunately, there are no good filter options available.

We're thrilled they were able to get all the clots, however, it's been a pretty rough afternoon. His left arm, neck and shoulder are sore, he's had nausea and vomiting and has also spiked a temp; so far they haven't been able to get it below 101. They are doing cultures along with a full blood work up and urinalysis.

Continue to pray faithful ones!

Many thanks!
Christie