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Post-Cath Pulse Loss Clinical Pathway – ICU and Inpatient

ICU and Inpatient Clinical Pathway
for Children with Post-Cath Pulse Loss

Infants and children with absent or markedly diminished pulse at 1 hr post-cardiac catheterization
 
 
 
 
  • Initiate enoxaparin
  • Use heparin as alternative as indicated
  • US Doppler Lower Extremity ART—Aorta to foot
  • Review labs, including CBC, BMP, PT/PTT
  • Notify cath attending
 
 
 
 
No thrombus and Normal pulse at 24 hrs
Thrombus present on ultrasound
 
 
 
 

Continue enoxaparin

Consult cardiac thrombosis service
 
 
 
 
Diminished pulse at 24 hrs
Normal pulse at 24 hrs
Repeat femoral artery US
 
 
 
 
Persistent thrombus
Resolved Thrombus

Clinical Exam

  • Good cap refill, color, and temperature
    • Continue enoxaparin, therapeutic anti-Xa after 2nd dose
    • Discharge teaching completed
    • Schedule femoral artery US at 2 wks from date of thrombus
  • Cool, pale, markedly delayed or absent cap refill
Discontinue enoxaparin
 
 
 
 
Resolved thrombus at 2 wks
Persistent thrombus at 2 wks
  • Continue enoxaparin
  • Monitor femoral ultrasound at 6 and 12 wks from date of thrombus as indicated
 
 
 
 
Persistent thrombus at 12 wks

Discontinue anticoagulation

Resume antiplatelet treatment per individual regimen

Stop anticoagulation

Refer to vascular surgery
 
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