Peripheral line dead space: an unrecognised phenomenon?
OBJECTIVE
To determine if peripheral intravenous cannula dead space is taken into account when setting up intravenous infusions (in particular nitrate infusions) in the emergency department.


METHODS
A postal survey of UK emergency departments.


RESULTS
Of the 143 (58%) of UK departments who responded, only 15% reported priming the cannula before commencing the nitrate infusion.


CONCLUSIONS
Knowledge of peripheral intravenous cannula dead space in UK emergency departments is very poor and, as a result, there is probably significant widespread under treatment of patients in severe cardiogenic pulmonary oedema. Departments should amend their treatment guidelines to take account of peripheral cannula dead space.
Geggie
Dave
D
Emergency Medicine, A&E Department, Warrington General Hospital, Lovely Lane, Warrington, Cheshire, UK. david.geggie@nch.nhs.uk
Moore
Deborah
D
D002406:Catheterization, Peripheral / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D004636:Emergency Service, Hospital / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D019538:Health Care Surveys; D006801:Humans; D007262:Infusions, Intravenous / Q000379:methods / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D009566:Nitrates / Q000008:administration & dosage; D011654:Pulmonary Edema / Q000628:therapy; D006113:United Kingdom
D009566:Nitrates