Preventing superficial phlebitis during infusion of crystalloid solutions in surgical patients

Thirty patients who received routine intravenous therapy (3.3% dextrose and 0.3% normal saline at a rate of 100 mL/h) were randomized prospectively into two groups to receive an antiphlebitic mixture of heparin-hydrocortisone-sodium bicarbonate or placebo in a double-blinded fashion for 4 to 7 days. The code was then broken and the data were analysed using chi 2 analysis with respect to the clinical grade and incidence of phlebitis. Phlebitis developed in 2 of 14 study and 10 of 16 control patients. All study patients tolerated their intravenous lines longer and needed less restarting. The antiphlebitic mixture effectively prevented superficial infusion phlebitis in patients receiving dextrose-saline solutions.