Abstract
Background: Vitamin E has antiplatelet, fibrinolytic and endotoxin properties that may help avoid the problems of occlusion or inability to withdraw blood from port VADs. Purpose: Disseminate information about the non-traditional therapeutic use of vitamin E associated with care of Venous Access Devices (VAD) in patients with cancer. Methodology: In-person focus groups. Sample of 22 cancer patients who had port Venous Access Devices (VAD). Findings: Fourteen percent (N = 3) of patients felt that taking vitamin E, 400 -800 IU per day orally, in capsule form, avoided the problems of occlusion or inability to withdraw blood from their current VAD. Practice Implications: The effects of vitamin E on occlusion and inability to withdraw blood in caring for patients who have port VADs, requires further investigation.
Original language | English (US) |
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Pages (from-to) | 71-73 |
Number of pages | 3 |
Journal | JAVA - Journal of the Association for Vascular Access |
Volume | 13 |
Issue number | 2 |
DOIs | |
State | Published - 2008 |
ASJC Scopus subject areas
- Medicine (miscellaneous)