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Dr. Andrew Rynne
MD
Dr. Andrew Rynne

Family Physician

Exp 50 years

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What Causes The Veins To Become Very Hard?

My dad is 78 and has been very sick and in the hospital for the last 4 months. They are having a hard time starting IV's because his viens have become very hard, Actually bending IV cathlon when inserted. The Dr. says this is a bad sign. What would cause this and why is this a bad sign? We know that his life is very limited at this point.
Wed, 18 Feb 2015
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General Surgeon,  's  Response
Hi,
The problem is that they would have already punctured most of his veins and once the veins are punctured and the IV catheter is kept for a few days then the vein gets thrombosed or blocked due to clotting of the blood inside the vein. Thereafter that vein cannot be cannulated. It is not a bad sign, but, he needs to be cannulated by a different access or maybe a central venous access. Your Critical Care Specialist would be the best person to decide upon that.
Take care and dont worry. Let them do their best and trust them.
Dr Rishi, New Delhi, India.
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What Causes The Veins To Become Very Hard?

Hi, The problem is that they would have already punctured most of his veins and once the veins are punctured and the IV catheter is kept for a few days then the vein gets thrombosed or blocked due to clotting of the blood inside the vein. Thereafter that vein cannot be cannulated. It is not a bad sign, but, he needs to be cannulated by a different access or maybe a central venous access. Your Critical Care Specialist would be the best person to decide upon that. Take care and dont worry. Let them do their best and trust them. Dr Rishi, New Delhi, India.