title: Effect of transdermal glyceryl trinitrate on the survival of peripheral intravenous infusions: a double-blind prospective clinical study.
abstract: Phlebitis is the commonest complication of intravenous infusion. It has been suggested that it is initiated by venoconstriction at the infusion site, hence treatment with a vasodilator may reduce its incidence. We carried out a prospective double-blind controlled study of the effect of transdermal glyceryl trinitrate on the survival of peripheral intravenous infusions in 340 patients. Fifty-five per cent (94 out of 170) of the infusions failed in the control group compared with 19 per cent (33 out of 170) in the treatment group (chi 2 = 45, P less than 0.0005). The commonest cause of infusion failure was superficial phlebitis: 47 per cent in the control group and 17 per cent in the treatment group (chi 2 = 46, P less than 0.0005). The estimated median time of infusion survival was 74 h in the control group compared with 127 h in the treatment group (log rank chi 2 = 143, P less than 0.0001). We conclude that infusion phlebitis is a common problem in hospitalized patients and its incidence can be effectively reduced by transdermal glyceryl trinitrate.
authors.affiliation: Department of Surgery, St. Mary's Hospital, Portsmouth, UK.
authors.forename: H T
authors.initials: HT
authors.lastname: Khawaja
authors.forename: M J
authors.initials: MJ
authors.lastname: Campbell
authors.forename: P C
authors.initials: PC
authors.lastname: Weaver
mesh_terms: D000279:Administration, Cutaneous; D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D002406:Catheterization, Peripheral / Q000009:adverse effects*; D002986:Clinical Trials as Topic; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D005260:Female; D005542:Forearm; D006801:Humans; D007262:Infusions, Intravenous / Q000009:adverse effects; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D005996:Nitroglycerin / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D010689:Phlebitis / Q000209:etiology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D011446:Prospective Studies
chemical_list: D005996:Nitroglycerin