Extravasation and tissue necrosis secondary to central line infusions

Extravasation of Non-Cytotoxic Drugs in Older People

Objective To describe the risk factors of extravasation, its impact on the pharmacokinetics of non-cytotoxic drugs, and management of extravasation in older individuals. Extravasation occurs when vesicants leak from blood vessels into surrounding tissue causing severe injury such as tissue necrosis while infiltration is caused by leakage of an irritant that causes injury but does not lead to tissue necrosis. Extravasation occurs in approximately 0.01% to 6% of patients, particularly with cytotoxic agents. However, there is limited documentation about extravasation of non-cytotoxic agents, particularly in older people. Data Sources A literature search of Pubmed and Medline was performed using the following search items: "extravasation," "infiltration," "elderly," and "non-cytotoxic drugs," as well as a combination of these terms. Conclusion It is important to recognize, identify, and manage extravasation early since it can have deleterious consequences for older people. It is more important to prevent extravasation than manage it using standardized evidence-based protocols, and this can be implemented in the nursing facility and acute care setting.

Retrospective Assessment of Patient and Catheter Characteristics Associated With Malpositioned Central Venous Catheters in Pediatric Patients

OBJECTIVES

The primary objective was to determine the prevalence and characteristics associated with malpositioned temporary, nontunneled central venous catheters (CVCs) placed via the internal jugular (IJ) and subclavian (SC) veins in pediatric patients.

DESIGN

Single-center retrospective cohort study.

SETTING

Quaternary academic PICU.

PATIENTS

Children greater than 1 month to less than 18 years who had a CVC placed between January 2014 and December 2018.

INTERVENTIONS

None.

MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS

The primary outcome was the CVC tip position located on the first postprocedural radiograph. CVC tip was defined as follows: "recommended" (tip location between the carina and two vertebral bodies inferior to the carina), "high" (tip location between one and four vertebral bodies superior to the carina), "low" (tip position three or more vertebral bodies inferior to the carina), and "other" (tip grossly malpositioned). Seven hundred eighty-one CVCs were included: 481 (61.6%) were in "recommended" position, 157 (20.1%) were "high," 131 (16.8%) were "low," and 12 (1.5%) were "other." Multiple multinomial regression (referenced to "recommended" position) showed that left-sided catheters (adjusted odds ratio [aOR], 2.00, 95% CI 1.17-3.40) were associated with "high" CVC tip positions, whereas weight greater than or equal to 40 kg had decreased odds of having a "high" CVC tip compared with the reference (aOR, 0.45; 95% CI, 0.24-0.83). Further, weight category 20-40 kg (aOR, 2.42; 95% CI, 1.38-4.23) and females (aOR, 1.51; 95% CI, 1.01-2.26) were associated with "low" CVC tip positions. There was no difference in rates of central line-associated blood stream infection, venous thromboembolism, or tissue plasminogen activator usage or dose between the CVCs with tips outside and those within the recommended location.

CONCLUSIONS

The prevalence of IJ and SC CVC tips outside of the recommended location was high. Left-sided catheters, patient weight, and sex were associated with malposition. Malpositioned catheters were not associated with increased harm.

Extravasation of Noncytotoxic Drugs

Objective: Commonly used drugs may be dangerous in case of extravasation. The lack of information from health care teams can lead to delays in both diagnosis and treatments. This review aims at alerting health care professionals about drugs and risk factors for extravasation and outlines recommendations for the diagnosis and treatment of extravasation. Data Source: A literature search of MEDLINE/PubMed, Scopus, the Cochrane Library, and Google Scholar was performed from 2000 to December 2019 using the following terms: extravasation, central venous line, peripheral venous line, irritant, and vesicant. Study Selection and Data Extraction: Overall, 140 articles dealing with drug extravasation were considered potentially relevant. Each article was critically appraised independently by 2 authors, leading to the inclusion of 80 relevant studies, guidelines, and reviews. Articles discussing incidents of extravasation in the neonatal and pediatric population of patients were excluded. Data Synthesis: Training of health care teams and writing care protocols are important for an optimal management of extravasations. A prompt consultation should be achieved by a specialist surgeon. The surgical procedure, if necessary, will consist of wound debridement followed by an abundant lavage. Relevance to Patient Care and Clinical Practice: This review discusses the management of drug extravasations according to their mechanism(s) of toxicity on tissues. It highlights the importance of a close monitoring of patients and the training of health care teams likely to face this type of adverse event. Conclusions: Extravasations still contribute to significant morbidity and mortality. A good knowledge of risk factors and the implementation of easily and quickly accessible standardized care protocols are 2 key elements in both prevention and treatment of extravasations.

Management of Intravenous Infiltration Injuries

BACKGROUND

Intravenous (IV) lines are ubiquitous in hospital settings. These lines can malfunction, leaking noxious contents into subcutaneous tissue. Existing literature describes invasive intervention and complex treatment protocols. These persist despite significant changes in the composition and administration of IV agents. The purpose of this study is to examine the consequences of IV infiltrations at a tertiary medical center to update protocols and treatment algorithms.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

This study is an observational, retrospective chart review performed at a tertiary care medical center. All inpatient plastic surgery consultations for IV infiltration were reviewed from 2011 to 2017. Patients were included if IV infiltration was suspected or documented. Data were collected for each injury regarding patient demographics, substance, and intervention.

RESULTS

The plastic surgery service evaluated 381 IV infiltration injuries from 2011 to 2017, with 363 meeting the criteria. Injuries per year progressively increased, with 32 consultations in 2011 and 102 consultations in 2017. The vast majority of injuries identified (91%) were treated with only elevation and observation. The minority consisted of wound care (7%) performed by nursing or any form of incision, aspiration, or antidote injection (2%) performed by the physician. Of the 363 injuries, the most common infiltrates were noncytotoxic (35%), radiographic contrast (27%), and known vesicants (18%). Interestingly, a large portion of consultations were requested by other surgical services (32%).

CONCLUSIONS

Although there is an increase in expert involvement for cases of IV infiltration injuries, the vast majority of these injuries are managed with minimal intervention. This is most likely owing to recent changes that have decreased the potential for harmful infiltration. Contrary to existing literature, invasive intervention is almost never indicated.

A checklist to improve the quality of central venous catheter tip positioning

Central venous catheter insertion is a routine procedure performed by anaesthetists in the peri-operative setting. Upper body central venous catheters are usually placed such that their tip lies within the superior vena cava or at the cavo-atrial junction. Positioning the tip 'too low' in the right atrium has long been argued against on the basis that it increases the risk of perforation, leading to cardiac tamponade. Positioning the tip 'too high' in the brachiocephalic vein or above can also be problematic in that proximal migration can result in extravascular placement of the proximal lumen. Such an incident occurred at our hospital in 2016, resulting in extravasation of a vesicant medication causing tissue necrosis. We undertook a quality improvement project involving a standardised bundle of care and a peri-operative central venous catheter insertion checklist with the aim of reducing the risk of such an incident re-occurring. We conducted a three-month pre-intervention audit (n = 84) in 2016 and a post-intervention audit (n = 84) in 2017. Compared with the pre-intervention audit, the post-intervention audit coincided with a lower rate of central venous catheter tip malpositioning (5.6% vs. 9.2%); and a higher rate of 'optimal' central venous catheter tip position in the distal superior vena cava or cavo-atrial junction (45.1% vs. 29.2%). The central venous catheter insertion checklist also substantially improved documentation of sterility measures, insertion depth and post-insertional documentation of tip position on chest radiograph.

A systematic review of extravasation and local tissue injury from administration of vasopressors through peripheral intravenous catheters and central venous catheters

PURPOSE

The aim of this study was to collect and describe all published reports of local tissue injury or extravasation from vasopressor administration via either peripheral intravenous (IV) or central venous catheter.

METHODS

A systematic search of Medline, Embase, and Cochrane databases was performed from inception through January 2014 for reports of adults who received vasopressor intravenously via peripheral IV or central venous catheter for a therapeutic purpose. We included primary studies or case reports of vasopressor administration that resulted in local tissue injury or extravasation of vasopressor solution.

RESULTS

Eighty-five articles with 270 patients met all inclusion criteria. A total of 325 separate local tissue injury and extravasation events were identified, with 318 events resulting from peripheral vasopressor administration and 7 events resulting from central administration. There were 204 local tissue injury events from peripheral administration of vasopressors, with an average duration of infusion of 55.9 hours (±68.1), median time of 24 hours, and range of 0.08 to 528 hours. In most of these events (174/204, 85.3%), the infusion site was located distal to the antecubital or popliteal fossae.

CONCLUSIONS

Published data on tissue injury or extravasation from vasopressor administration via peripheral IVs are derived mainly from case reports. Further study is warranted to clarify the safety of vasopressor administration via peripheral IVs.

Vesicant extravasation part II: Evidence-based management and continuing controversies

PURPOSE/OBJECTIVES

To review the literature, synthesize current recommendations, and discuss remaining controversies regarding vesicant extravasation management.

DATA SOURCES

Published evidence-based reports, clinical articles, and anecdotal case reports about antineoplastic and nonantineoplastic vesicant agent management.

DATA SYNTHESIS

Prevention of vesicant extravasation sequelae requires knowledge about vesicant extravasation manifestations and differentiation of vesicant extravasation from other local IV site reactions. When evidence is weak or missing, logical application of data-based or empirical management strategies is critical. Actions may include timely administration of subcutaneous or topical antidotes, comfort measures, and surgical interventions to minimize the extent of tissue damage and morbidity should extravasation occur.

CONCLUSIONS

Vesicant extravasation and sequelae constitute a complex patient problem. Clinicians should strive to prevent extravasation or seek to minimize injury should it occur. To this end, clinicians must demonstrate awareness of its risks and use specialized knowledge when administering vesicant agents.

IMPLICATIONS FOR NURSING

Nurses who administer vesicant agents should understand the nursing and collaborative actions that should be taken to minimize patient morbidity, pain, and disability.

Vesicant extravasation part I: Mechanisms, pathogenesis, and nursing care to reduce risk

PURPOSE/OBJECTIVES

To review the literature regarding the incidence, current practice, guideline recommendations, nursing management, and knowledge gaps relevant to vesicant extravasation.

DATA SOURCES

Published research articles, books, case reports, and national guidelines.

DATA SYNTHESIS

Vesicant extravasation is a relatively rare but significant complication of chemotherapy administration. Extravasation may have a range of consequences that can cause serious physical and quality-of-life effects. Knowledge of risk factors and preventive measures can reduce patient risk. Data-based and empirical management strategies such as immediate local measures (agent withdrawal, comfort measures, and medical interventions) may minimize risk for extravasation, as well as lead to timely recognition and management and decreased morbidity should extravasation occur.

CONCLUSIONS

Vesicant extravasation and sequelae constitute a complex patient problem that clinicians should strive to prevent or to minimize injury should it occur. To this end, clinicians must demonstrate awareness of risks and use specialized knowledge while administering vesicant agents.

IMPLICATIONS FOR NURSING

Only nurses knowledgeable about extravasation and skilled in associated techniques should assume responsibility for vesicant administration.