Is there any reason NOT to draw blood for PTT and PT/INR from an AV fistula? Physician is ok with drawing other blood tests from fistulas but thinks PTT, PT/INRs are inaccurate.
I don't know any evidence to support this but it doesn't make any sense to me, why you would NOT be able to draw those labs along with other labs. The flow through a fistula is so great, I can't think of a reason that would make PTT's etc. inaccurate. I was a dialysis nurse 30+ years ago and we did clotting times hourly and drew them off the dialysis lines. Dating myself, I know!
I have never seen any evidence, pro or con, but have not done a literature search on this either. Lynn
Lynn Hadaway, M.Ed., RN, BC, CRNI
Lynn Hadaway Associates, Inc.
126 Main Street, PO Box 10
Milner, GA 30257
Website http://www.hadawayassociates.com
Office Phone 770-358-7861
I don't know any evidence to support this but it doesn't make any sense to me, why you would NOT be able to draw those labs along with other labs. The flow through a fistula is so great, I can't think of a reason that would make PTT's etc. inaccurate. I was a dialysis nurse 30+ years ago and we did clotting times hourly and drew them off the dialysis lines. Dating myself, I know!
Wendy Erickson RN
Eau Claire WI