[Peripheral intravenous catheter-related phlebitis].

Abstract

Phlebitis is a very common complication of the use of intravenous catheters. Two patients with an i.v. catheter complicated by thrombophlebitis are described. Patient A was immunocompromised due to chronic lymphatic leukaemia and developed septic thrombophlebitis with positive blood cultures for S. Aureus. Patient B was being treated with flucloxacillin because of an S. Aureus infection and developed chemical phlebitis. Septic phlebitis is rare, but potentially serious. Chemical or mechanical types of thrombophlebitis are usually less severe, but happen very frequently. Risk factors include: female sex, previous episode of phlebitis, insertion at (ventral) forearm, emergency placement and administration of antibiotics. Until recently, routine replacement of peripheral intravenous catheters after 72-96 h was recommended, but randomised controlled trials have not shown any benefit of this routine. A recent Cochrane Review recommends replacement of peripheral intravenous catheters when clinically indicated only.

• Authors: Simone van der Sar-van der Brugge, E F M Ward Posthuma
• Journal: Nederlands tijdschrift voor geneeskunde (Ned Tijdschr Geneeskd) Vol. 155 Issue 40 Pg. A3548 ( 2011) ISSN: 1876-8784 [Electronic] Netherlands
• Vernacular Title: Flebitis bij perifeer infuus.
• PMID: 21988756 (Publication Type: Case Reports, English Abstract, Journal Article)

Chemical References

• Anti-Bacterial Agents
• Floxacillin

Topics

• Aged
• Aged, 80 and over
• Anti-Bacterial Agents (adverse effects, therapeutic use)
• Catheter-Related Infections (epidemiology, prevention & control)
• Catheterization, Peripheral (adverse effects)
• Floxacillin (adverse effects, therapeutic use)
• Humans
• Immunocompromised Host
• Male
• Phlebitis (epidemiology, etiology)
• Staphylococcal Infections (epidemiology, etiology, prevention & control)
• Treatment Outcome