Central venous access device occlusions: part 1: thrombotic causes and treatment

Many home care patients have central venous access devices to administer a variety of infusion therapies. Catheter occlusion is a potential complication. This month, catheter occlusion due to thrombotic causes is addressed. In many cases, thrombotic occlusions can be treated, sparing patients trauma and the expense of replacing the catheter. Thrombolytic drug therapy using the drug alteplase can be performed in the home setting to "declot" central venous access devices. Next month, occlusion due to nonthrombotic causes will be described.