Peritoneovenous Shunt Home Guide

Peritoneovenous Shunt Home Guide

A peritoneovenous shunt is a medical device that is used to drain fluid from the abdomen back into the bloodstream. The shunt has a pump and a small, thin tube (catheter) that work together to drain fluid out of the abdomen, through the pump, into a large vein in the neck, and back to the heart.

One type of peritoneovenous shunt called a Denver shunt also has a valve inside it that prevents fluid from flowing back into the abdomen.

You may have had this shunt placed to drain protein-containing fluid (ascites fluid) that builds up in the abdomen due to liver disease or some types of cancer.

Your shunt will work automatically when you lie down. You will also have to pump it two times a day to prevent the pump from clogging. Follow instructions from your health care provider about how, when, and how often to pump your shunt. Most people pump in the morning and at bedtime.

How to pump a double-valve pump:

  1. Lie flat on your back.
  2. Feel for the pump in your lower chest area, under your skin.
  3. Press the center of the pump in as far as you can, and then release.
  4. Wait until the pump re-expands.
  5. Repeat 20 times or as many times as told by your health care provider.

How to pump a single-valve pump

  1. Lie flat on your back.
  2. Feel for the pump in your lower chest area, under your skin.
  3. Press the center of the pump in as far as you can.
  4. While pressing the pump, use the fingers of your other hand to pinch the catheter above the pump. You should be able to feel the catheter under your skin, just above the pump.
  5. While you continue to pinch the catheter, release the pump.
  6. Wait until the pump re-expands.
  7. Release the pinch.
  8. Repeat pumping and pinching 20 times or as many times as told by your health care provider.

General tips

  • Make sure you know what type of pump you have (double-valve or single-valve). If you are not sure, ask your health care provider.
  • Do not sleep sitting up or with your upper body higher than a 45-degree angle. You may sleep on a regular pillow.
  • Before you have any type of procedure, tell all health care providers that you have a shunt. This is especially important if you need a laparoscopic procedure. During a laparoscopy, air may be pumped into your abdomen, and that can be very dangerous when you have a peritoneovenous shunt.

Contact a health care provider if:

  • Your pump becomes too hard to press or does not re-inflate after you press it. These problems may mean that the pump or shunt needs to be replaced.
  • Your abdomen gets larger (distended). This may be a sign that fluid is building up and the shunt is not working well.

Summary

  • Your peritoneovenous shunt drains fluid that collects in your belly (abdomen)—such as ascites fluid—back into your bloodstream.
  • Your shunt works automatically when you lie down. Make sure you lie down to sleep. Do not sleep sitting up.
  • Pump your shunt every day to make sure it does not become clogged. Follow instructions from your health care provider about how, when, and how often to pump.
  • Contact your health care provider if your abdomen gets larger (distended), or if your pump gets too hard to press or does not re-inflate after you press it.
15585

Sign up to receive the trending updates and tons of Health Tips

Join SeekhealthZ and never miss the latest health information

15856