Nurses General Nursing
Published Oct 22, 2002
susanmary
656 Posts
Sleepyeyes
1,244 Posts
We usually use Lovenox, ABT's, moist heat, and bedrest for DVT's.
renerian, BSN, RN
5,693 Posts
I work in home health and have started lovenox for the acute period. The same that sleepy posted. Saw a sharp rise in that drug use in the last six months before I left home health in August.
renerian
Agnus
2,719 Posts
Urokinase should be administered in only very controlled settings. I have used a very tiny amt to unclog PICC lines. Then withdrew the medication from the line after the clot was disolved.
However, I believe this should be administered only by a physician when used to break up clots in vessels. Generally I do not see it used for DVT as the risk is generally considered greater than the benefit in this case. It is usually reserved for clots in more critically dangerous locations.
Beetlejuice
12 Posts
Ya know, urokinase is not specific. It works on all thrombi, not just the venous ones and not just the ones blocking vessels. In my opinion, your taking too great a risk administering this outside a stepdown/ICU setting.
I appreciate the input. Currently, DVTs being treated with either: iv heparin protocal/coumadin; lovenox; or fragmin. Bedrest with leg elevation until therapeutic. I'm still curious if ANYONE out there on the non ICU/SD floors admit patients with UROKINASE (venous) infusing.