Identification of Risk Factors for Phlebitis in Patients Treated with Nafamostat Mesylate

The proteolytic enzyme inhibitor nafamostat mesylate is widely used for the treatment of acute pancreatitis and disseminated intravascular coagulation. This drug may be a risk factor for phlebitis, but this risk has not been studied. Therefore, we aimed to investigate the frequency of phlebitis and its risk factors in patients treated with nafamostat mesylate in intensive care units (ICU) or high care units (HCU). During the study period, 83 patients met the inclusion criteria, and 22 of them (27%) experienced phlebitis. A multivariate logistic regression analysis was performed for severe acute pancreatitis, administration duration, and administration concentration of nafamostat mesylate in ICU or HCU. As a result, the administration of nafamostat mesylate for ≥3 d in the ICU or HCU was an independent predictor of phlebitis caused by nafamostat mesylate [odds ratio (OR), 10.3; 95% confidence interval (CI), 1.28-82.5; p=0.03]. This study suggests that the number of days of nafamostat mesylate administration is associated with phlebitis in patients treated with the drug, and it may be necessary to pay attention to its administration for ≥3 d in ICU or HCU.