title: Effect of transdermal glyceryl trinitrate and anti-inflammatory gel in infusion phlebitis.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  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.
  
  
  METHODS
  A prospective controlled study was carried out on the effect of transdermal glyceryl trinitrate (GTN) and topical anti-inflammatory gel (non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug; NSAID) on the survival of peripheral intravenous infusion in 386 patients.
  
  
  RESULTS
  A total of 34.9% (43 out of 123) of the infusions failed in the control group compared with 14.1% (18 out of 127) in the NSAID group (P < 0.05) and 30.8% (43 out of 136) in the GTN group (P < 0.05). In the control group 31 positive cultures were obtained. Twenty-one positive cultures were obtained in the GTN group and four cases of bacterial proliferation were observed in the NSAID group.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Infusion phlebitis is a common problem in hospitalized patients and its incidence can be effectively reduced by NSAI gel and GTN but NSAI gel is more effective than GTN.
authors.affiliation: Atatürk Training Hospital First Surgical Department, Izmir, Turkey. acokmez@yahoo.com
authors.forename: Atilla
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Cökmez
authors.forename: Serhat
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Gür
authors.forename: Hüdai
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Genç
authors.forename: Sümer
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Deniz
authors.forename: Ercüment
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Tarcan
mesh_terms: D000279:Administration, Cutaneous; D000328:Adult; D000894:Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D005260:Female; D005782:Gels; D006801:Humans; D007262:Infusions, Intravenous / Q000009:adverse effects*; D008297:Male; D009288:Naproxen / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D005996:Nitroglycerin / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D010689:Phlebitis / Q000209:etiology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D011446:Prospective Studies
chemical_list: D000894:Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal; D005782:Gels; D009288:Naproxen; D005996:Nitroglycerin