“PICC on mastectomy side or pacemaker side? ”
My mom had emergency intestinal surgery and needs a PICC for nutrition. She has had a mastectomy over thirty years ago on one side and has a pacemaker on the other side. They want to put it on the pacemaker side and I'm terrified of complications. She’s 82.
Female | 82 years old
Medications: Tekesin (so?) and others
Conditions: Currently hospitalized after emergency surgery to correct twist in small intestine.
3 Answers
CardiacElectrophysiologist|ClinicalCardiacElectrophysiologyCardiologist
That’s correct on the pacemaker side.
Hello,
These are really the problems of modern medicine, there is no perfect answer, but there are some choices. If I were taking this patient, the pacemaker side is fine and I would make sure she is on an anticoagulant, lovenox or one of the oral medications that are available. This can be done, you should ask the provider about this option. There is also the choice of a central line in the jugular or subclavian vein, though I would still consider an anticoagulant in this situation.
I hope she gets through this with no further issues
These are really the problems of modern medicine, there is no perfect answer, but there are some choices. If I were taking this patient, the pacemaker side is fine and I would make sure she is on an anticoagulant, lovenox or one of the oral medications that are available. This can be done, you should ask the provider about this option. There is also the choice of a central line in the jugular or subclavian vein, though I would still consider an anticoagulant in this situation.
I hope she gets through this with no further issues
She can get a G tube instead, this is more invasive. But less risk for infections. It’s an option.
