Forum topic

Is there data to support placing patients on prophylactic coumadin to prevent occlusions in implanted ports?  I work in an oncology office where we administer chemotherapy.  Most of our patients have implanted ports and we need to have a good blood return prior to administration.  We have occlusion problems occasionally, mostly fibrin sheaths (we send them to the hospital radiology for a dye study and TPA).  Some of our patients are placed on 1 mg of coumadin and I'm looking for articles or evidence to support this practice. I thought that this was done on anecdotal evidence in the past, but it was not supported by studies/evidence.