title: The incidence of phlebitis with intravenous amiodarone at guideline dose recommendations.
abstract: Postoperative atrial fibrillation following cardiothoracic surgery is common and frequently managed with intravenous (IV) amiodarone. Phlebitis is the most common complication with peripheral infusion of this agent. Current practice guidelines for peripheral IV administration of <2 mg/mL amiodarone were established to reduce the risk of phlebitis. The present study examines the incidence of phlebitis in a postoperative patient population given current dose recommendations. A total of 273 patient charts were reviewed. The incidence of phlebitis in patients given IV amiodarone (n = 36) was 13.9% (95% confidence interval, 2.6-25.2%; p = 0.001). Logistic regression analysis with backward elimination of other therapeutic risk factors suggests that the odds ratio for phlebitis using current dose regimens without IV filters is 19-fold greater than baseline risk in this population. Phlebitis remains a significant complication associated with peripheral infusion of amiodarone within recommended dosing limits.
authors.affiliation: Cardiology Service, Brooke Army Medical Center, Fort Sam Houston, TX 78234-6200, USA.
authors.forename: Ahmad M
authors.initials: AM
authors.lastname: Slim
authors.forename: Jason E
authors.initials: JE
authors.lastname: Roth
authors.forename: Benjamin
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Duffy
authors.forename: Sheri Y N
authors.initials: SY
authors.lastname: Boyd
authors.forename: Bernard J
authors.initials: BJ
authors.lastname: Rubal
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D000638:Amiodarone / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000889:Anti-Arrhythmia Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D001281:Atrial Fibrillation; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D015994:Incidence; D007262:Infusions, Intravenous / Q000009:adverse effects; D008297:Male; D008887:Military Medicine; D008889:Military Personnel; D010689:Phlebitis / Q000139:chemically induced* / Q000453:epidemiology; D011184:Postoperative Period; D017410:Practice Guidelines as Topic; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012307:Risk Factors
chemical_list: D000889:Anti-Arrhythmia Agents; D000638:Amiodarone