title: [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: Reinier de Graaf Gasthuis, afd. Interne Geneeskunde, Delft, the Netherlands. svandersar@gmail.com
authors: Simone
authors: S
authors: van der Sar-van der Brugge
authors: E F M Ward
authors: EF
authors: Posthuma
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D055499:Catheter-Related Infections / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000517:prevention & control; D002406:Catheterization, Peripheral / Q000009:adverse effects*; D005436:Floxacillin / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use; D006801:Humans; D016867:Immunocompromised Host; D008297:Male; D010689:Phlebitis / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology*; D013203:Staphylococcal Infections / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology* / Q000517:prevention & control; D016896:Treatment Outcome
chemical_list: D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents; D005436:Floxacillin